Roccabernarda – History, Crafts and Regional Cuisine

Roccabernarda brings together local history, archaeological traces and traditional local crafts. Olive oil, artisan-made foods and two routes that pass through the municipality add to the town’s character.

Landscape and Historical Traces

The historic centre lies on a hill; the settlement extends to the foothills of the Sila Piccola and along the Tacina River. The town was once called Rocca di Taceria; it has been known as Roccabernarda since the 12th century.

Finds from Greek and Roman times have occasionally been discovered in the Serrarossa district. Serrarossa is a complex dating from Roman and early medieval times along the Tacina Valley. The ruins of a castle in Roccabernarda have seen little archaeological study; apparently, underground rooms still survive.

Near Roccabernarda lie the ruins of the medieval Monastery of San Francesco di Paola. It was founded by Giovanni Cadurio after his return from the court of Louis XI, where he had accompanied Saint Francis of Paola. The artificial caves of Grotte di Vitale lie along the Tacina River. They are thought to be a possible site of the hermitage where Saint Vitale da Castronuovo is said to have spent two years in the 10th century after a pilgrimage to Rome.

Crafts and Local Produce

Traditional crafts practised by local women include weaving, crochet, embroidery, wickerwork and applied crafts. Traditional crafts practised by local men include inlay work and woodturning. These different techniques span a range of crafts, from textiles to inlay and woodturning.

Olive oil and products made from it are produced in Roccabernarda. Artisan-made local livestock products include provola cheeses, other cheeses, ricotta and “sciungate”. The Roccabernarda itinerary also features a “garagiata”: a tasting at a typical local establishment.

Routes and Event Dates

Stage 29 of the Cammino Basiliano, between Santa Severina and Petilia Policastro, passes through the municipalities of Santa Severina, Petilia Policastro and Roccabernarda. It is listed as 26 km long and is also accessible by mountain bike. The only water supply listed for the stage is in the town of Roccabernarda. If you are planning this stage, check the water information in advance.

The Via Sacra of the Cammino della Magna Grecia passes through Santa Severina, Roccabernarda and Petilia Policastro. Its route winds through hilly landscapes and smaller towns. The routes can be compared using different points of reference: for Stage 29, the focus is on distance, mountain-bike access and water supply; for the Via Sacra, it is on the hilly route through smaller towns.

The Fiera di Mulerà may also be useful when planning your dates: it is considered an old medieval fair and takes place in early September. If you would like to plan your stay around it, check the exact event dates.

Discover more destinations: Santa Severina, Strongoli, Cirò Marina, Sant'Anna, Isola Di Capo Rizzuto, Petilia Policastro, Steccato, Le Castella

Go to the main travel overview: Crotone.