Rossano: Codex Purpureus and the La Montagna Route

Rossano offers two distinct perspectives for your trip: the Codex Purpureus and other aspects of sacred history, as well as the “La Montagna” Route through the forests of the Sila Greca. Beneath the cathedral lie archaeological remains of several places of worship; in the mountains around Rossano, a recurring festival in honour of S. Onofrio is celebrated on the third Sunday in May. If you are looking for a hotel in Rossano, you can choose the focus of your stay according to whether you are more interested in manuscripts and religious art, the landscape, or a set date in May.

The Codex Purpureus in the museum

The Codex Purpureus Rossanensis is a Greek uncial manuscript dating from the 5th or 6th century. It contains the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. Its pages are reddish in colour and inscribed in silver and gold ink; 14 miniatures depict the life and teachings of Christ. The text, design and images each reveal different aspects of the Gospel book. If you are interested in Christian book art, the Codex offers an opportunity to explore both the manuscript itself and the subjects of its miniatures.

At the Museo Diocesano e del Codex, the Codex has its own dedicated section. A multimedia viewing station in the Codex room allows visitors to view all the miniatures in the Gospel book in very high resolution. The museum’s two tours are complemented by multimedia aids and virtual applications.

Sacred history and art

Archaeological work beneath Rossano Cathedral uncovered the remains of at least three places of worship. They date from the 6th to the 12th century, offering a different perspective from viewing the Codex: here, the focus is on the architectural remains of several places of worship.

Another point of interest is the Icona dell’Achiropita. It is a wall fresco of the Madonna, traditionally believed not to have been created by human hands. When considering this work, the depiction of the Madonna and the traditional interpretation go together; the interpretation is presented as a tradition.

La Montagna and the landscape

The “La Montagna” Route begins in Rossano’s historic centre. The forests of the Sila Greca are considered rich in flora and fauna along the route. The named starting point and the landscape offer two specific reference points for planning, making the route a distinct focus alongside the themes of manuscripts and sacred history.

In the area around Rossano, excursions to the Giganti del Cozzo del Pesco Oasis can be organised along paths and mule tracks. This presents two distinct ways to explore nature: the forests of the Sila Greca are part of the route’s landscape, while the oasis is a possible excursion destination. If you would like to explore Rossano through its landscapes and natural attractions, you can consider these as two different options.

The festival in honour of S. Onofrio

A festival in honour of S. Onofrio is celebrated in the mountains around Rossano on the third Sunday in May. It is one of the area’s recurring religious traditions. If you would like to include this occasion in your travel plans, take the third Sunday in May into account when choosing your dates. This gives your planning a specific connection to the festival calendar as well as its other themes.

Discover more destinations: Rossano Stazione, Firmo, Fagnano Castello, Cutura, Vaccarizzo, Santa Maria Del Cedro, Marina Schiavonea, Colosimi

For the broader travel overview: Cosenza.