San Leonardo di Cutro: Coast, History and the Cammino

San Leonardo di Cutro is a seaside resort on the coast in the municipality of Cutro. The town lies on a hill near the Ionian Sea. If you are looking for a hotel, you can first consider which aspect of the town is most important for your trip: the beach, Jesuit history, the landscape or a stage of the Cammino della Magna Grecia. These themes give your trip planning different focuses and concrete points of interest.

Coast, beach and harbour

Praialonga is the public beach of San Leonardo di Cutro: a long stretch of fine sand along the coast. It is easy to get there by car from nearby. As local access conditions may change, check them before your visit.

The harbour of San Leonardo di Cutro has 60 berths for boats up to 12 m long, according to nautical guidelines. Before setting sail, check the current conditions and contact the local authorities.

History in the town

The Jesuits founded San Leonardo di Cutro towards the end of the 16th century to house settlers who would cultivate their lands. Construction of the Torre di San Leonardo began in 1597, commissioned by the Jesuits; the tower stands in the settlement of the same name. The town’s founding and the tower’s construction date to the same period, and both point to the Jesuits. At the same time, they concern different historical questions: the purpose of the town’s founding and the start of a named building project. The historic Quartiere Vaglio is the oldest neighbourhood; the remains of a defensive tower are located there.

Landscape and the Cammino della Magna Grecia

Extensive wheat fields surround San Leonardo di Cutro. Calanchi, geological formations typical of the area, shape the landscape around the town. The fields and geological formations are thus two distinct features of the surroundings.

Stage 14 of the Cammino della Magna Grecia is 30.77 km long. It starts in San Leonardo di Cutro, passes through Le Castella and Capo Rizzuto, and ends in Marinella, reaching a maximum elevation of 90 m. Length and maximum elevation are different planning measures: distance indicates the extent of the stage, while the elevation figure gives its highest point. Check the trail conditions and waymarking before setting out.

Patron saint’s festival and chapel

The annual feast of San Leonardo’s patron saint takes place in the last week of April; exact dates may vary from year to year. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the date for the relevant year. The Chiesetta del Turrazzo is a small chapel on a terrace in San Leonardo di Cutro, overlooking the sea. The terrace and sea view are two specific features of the site of this religious place.

Discover other destinations: Roccabernarda, Le Castella, Marina Di Strongoli, Belvedere Di Spinello, Sant'Anna, Caccuri, Cutro, Crotone

Go to the broader travel overview: Crotone.