Gli Sgarroni – Lakes, Grotticelle and History

When staying in Gli Sgarroni, you can choose between focusing on nature or architectural history. The Laghi di Monticchio are near Monticchio Sgarroni; Grotticelle is associated with a butterfly habitat, former charcoal-making activities and a described route to castle ruins. In Monticchio, the Castello di Monticchio and the Abbazia di San Michele Arcangelo represent different types of buildings. If you are looking for a hotel in Gli Sgarroni, this overview can help you decide what kind of trip you want before making your choice.

Lakes and natural landscape

The Laghi di Monticchio consist of two volcanic lakes: Lago Piccolo and Lago Grande. They are located near Monticchio Sgarroni. If you want to make the landscape a focus of your stay, these two lakes offer a specific point of interest; their volcanic character defines this natural area. Grotticelle offers another connection with nature and is known as a habitat for the European Brahma moth. This lets you experience the lake landscape and a specifically named butterfly habitat as distinct aspects of the surrounding area.

Grotticelle and the castle ruins

On the excursion through Grotticelle, you reach the castle ruins after about two kilometres along a slightly uphill, unpaved route. The approximate distance, incline and surface give you specific information about the nature of this outing; suitable hiking shoes should be considered for the route and the ruins. The Grotticelle excursion is thus characterised by a route with a named destination, while the lakes are described as a landscape highlight.

Grotticelle also offers a glimpse into history: there are numerous small caves there that were formerly used by charcoal makers to store wood and charcoal. This adds a specific former use to the destination of the route. Alongside the castle ruins, the caves also bring the work of charcoal makers into focus, connecting the area with the history of storing wood and charcoal.

Architectural history in Monticchio

Today, what remains of Castello di Monticchio is a tall tower with a pseudo-square ground plan and three living quarters. The ground plan and the living quarters give you different points of reference for understanding the building’s form. Several supporting arches of a cistern are located beneath the living quarters. This detail adds another structural element to the complex, complementing the view of the tower and its layout.

Monticchio is also home to the Abbazia di San Michele Arcangelo, an ancient religious building whose construction is dated to around the 8th century AD. The abbey offers a different focus from the Castello: here, the emphasis is on religious architecture and an approximate date of construction, while the Castello is notable for its surviving tower form, living quarters and supporting arches. This gives you a choice of different architectural history themes when planning your trip.

Getting your bearings around Monticchio Sgarroni

The local road connection is named “Monticchio Bagni – Monticchio Sgarroni – valico quota 113”. This road name provides a specific reference point for local orientation, complementing the names of places and buildings. Together with the nature and history themes described here, it can help you organise your trip around Monticchio Sgarroni into individual areas of interest.

Discover more destinations: Rotonda, Albano di Lucania, Palazzo San Gervasio, Viggiano, Calvello, Viggianello, Rapone, Gallicchio

For the broader travel overview: Potenza.