Discover Nature and Culture in Zagarise

When planning a trip to Zagarise, you can focus on nature, culture, or both. Nature-related options include the Cascate Campanaro, the Timpe Rosse Canyon, and activities offered by Orme nel Parco in the Sila; sacred art and the Museo M.A.R.S. add cultural highlights. If you are looking for a hotel in Zagarise, it helps to decide in advance whether you want your stay to be shaped by landscapes, trails, art collections, or a mix of these.

Nature: Waterfall, Canyon, and Trails

The Cascate Campanaro are located on the road between Sersale and Zagarise, in the Sila National Park. Access is via a very short, marked forest trail with a small rest area. The main waterfall is about 20 meters high and lies in a small wooded area. The short marked trail and small rest area are practical points of reference; the waterfall’s height and wooded setting shape the landscape experience.

The Timpe Rosse Canyon offers a different kind of access: the route there must be covered on foot and is considered not particularly difficult. At the Cascate Campanaro, the focus is on the forest trail’s short length and markings; at the canyon, it is on the assessment of the walking route. This lets you distinguish between the two nature destinations based on the specific trail features mentioned.

Since 2008, Orme nel Parco has operated Calabria’s first adventure park in the Sila. The operator also offers hiking and mountain biking routes. Unlike the individual waterfall and canyon attractions, this combines an adventure park with two types of routes. If you are mainly interested in outdoor activities and the Sila when planning your trip, this offers another possible focus.

Sacred Art and Museums

Several periods of art history come together at the Museo D’Arte Sacra “Silvestro Frangipane.” The main collection comprises 36 paintings created by monks at the monastery. The museum also displays 16th-century frescoes, as well as paintings and sculptures from the 17th to 19th centuries. These works come from the Zagarise area, especially from the church and monastery of the Dominicans and the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta. The dates help distinguish the 16th-century frescoes from the later paintings and sculptures; the specified places of origin also link the collection to the area’s religious sites.

The Centro Informazione Turistica – Museo M.A.R.S. combines a tourist information center with a museum exhibiting works by various famous artists. It is located on a public road and has access for people with disabilities. In terms of focus, M.A.R.S. differs from the Museo D’Arte Sacra: here, information services and art exhibitions go hand in hand, while the other museum centers on religious art collections.

A Local Growing Method

Another local specialty is the Pomodorino siccagno di Zagarise. It is grown using dry farming, without irrigation. For travelers interested in agriculture as well as landscapes and collections, this growing method adds a specific aspect of local production to the picture of Zagarise.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Petronà, Simeri, Soverato Marina, San Floro, Sorbo San Basile, Pianopoli, Santa Caterina Dello Ionio, Cropani

For the broader travel overview: Catanzaro.