Discover Carlopoli: Abbey, Architecture and Hiking Trails

Explore Carlopoli through two main themes: the heritage of Santa Maria di Corazzo Abbey and the historic buildings in town, as well as trails through the surrounding hills. Distinctive features of the landscape include the Corace and Sant’Elia rivers and extensive woodland with chestnut, oak and alder trees. If you are looking for a hotel in Carlopoli, cultural history and hiking can shape your stay; the destinations below differ in route and theme.

Hiking Trails and Routes

Trail S.1 starts in the old villages of Carlopoli and Panettieri and leads through the surrounding hills to the ruins of Santa Maria di Corazzo Abbey in the Corace River valley. S.2 takes a different route: it starts at Piazza Brutto, passes through Carlopoli’s old town to the Sant’Elia River, then continues via San Nicola, Celle and Colle la Croce towards Pietra della Difesa. The ninth stage of the Cammino di San Giacomo Maggiore in Calabria is another route option, running from Bianchi through Castagna, Panettieri and Carlopoli to Cicala. Check the current conditions and signage for S.1 and S.2 locally; before setting out on the Cammino stage, check the latest conditions.

The Abbey and Traces of History

The ruins of Santa Maria di Corazzo Abbey are in Castagna, near the Corace River. Benedictines founded the abbey in the 11th century. It can be reached on foot or by vehicle; check the latest visitor information before your visit. Traces of the Macchina della Lana, an old fulling mill that operated until the 1950s, can also be seen on the Corace. Here, you can encounter both evidence of monastic history and traces of a former trade.

Palazzi and Churches

Palazzo Carlo Cicala was built by Carlo Cicala at the end of the 17th century. Its features include a monumental entrance portal and balconies decorated with acanthus leaves. Palazzo Talarico dates from the 18th century, overlooks Piazza Brutto and is near the Church of Madonna del Carmelo.

The Church of Carmine in Carlopoli is an example of Baroque architecture, with Rococo stucco inside. The choir houses an altarpiece by Francesco Colelli, commissioned in Nicastro in 1779. In Castagna, the Church of the Holy Spirit was built in the second half of the 16th century and elevated to parish church in 1612. Items preserved there include an altar, an 18th-century organ and a marble medallion depicting the Madonna and Child from Corazzo Abbey.

Landscape and Culinary Traditions

The landscape of Carlopoli includes the Corace and Sant’Elia rivers and extensive woodland, mainly comprising chestnut, oak and alder trees. Typical Sila wildlife is found in the area, including wild boar and wolves.

The chestnut tradition includes roasted, boiled and dried chestnuts. Chestnuts strung into traditional chains also have their own name: cullure. Traditional pork products include sopressata, salsiccia and capocollo; they are seasoned with salt and pepper and dried in a cool, dry place. The liqueur tradition includes liquorice liqueur, limoncello, fennel liqueur and nocino made according to old Cistercian recipes of the monks of Corazzo Abbey. Traditional dairy processing uses cow’s, sheep’s and goat’s milk to make provola, fiordilatte, burrini, fresh and smoked ricotta, and other sheep’s and goat’s cheeses.

Discover more destinations: Cortale, Soverato Marina, Guardavalle Marina, San Floro, Badolato Marina, Amaroni, Castagna, Gizzeria Lido.

For the broader travel overview: Catanzaro.