Campogrande: Trails and Cultural Heritage

Campogrande is the starting point for a trail described as “archaeological” that heads towards the renowned Necropoli di Tripi. The site is located in Contrada Cardusa and preserves evidence of the ancient city of Abakainon. The place name Contrada Cardusa locates the necropolis; the name Abakainon identifies the city whose remains are preserved there. This gives the trail and the site different roles: the trail points in a direction, while the necropolis provides the specific historical connection. For travellers interested in archaeology, this distinction helps separate route orientation from the historical subject.

Archaeology and Forest

The Sentiero Tallarita offers a nature-focused counterpoint: it includes more than three kilometres of forest. Comparing it with the trail described as archaeological brings different interests into focus. The Sentiero is defined by its forest route, while the other trail leads from Campogrande towards the Necropoli di Tripi. By planning your trip around your own interests, you can weigh nature and history separately according to these highlights.

Getting to the Necropoli di Tripi

The municipal directions to the Necropoli di Tripi are valid from 31 May 2024. They specify the A20 or the SS113; from there, continue via the SP102 towards Campogrande and the SP115. Check the directions before setting out if you are planning the route in detail. The different route descriptions are important for planning your trip: a sequence of roads is given for the necropolis, while the Castello di Tripi involves a final stretch on foot.

Castello di Tripi: Coastal Views and Walking Route

The Castello di Tripi is located 610 metres above sea level and offers views of the Tyrrhenian coast from Tindari to Milazzo. The elevation and the named coastal towns answer different questions: they indicate the Castello’s location and describe the extent of the view. Access via Via Pianolo is on foot. The final stretch, about 1 km long, is on an unpaved road. Take this surface into account when planning your visit, and check the route conditions beforehand, as they may change.

Church and Artwork

The Chiesa di San Gaetano houses an antique papier-mâché statue of Saint Gaetano. Matteo Trovato, a sculptor from Barcellona, made it in 1906. The material, the person depicted, the artist and his place of origin make the work easy to identify; 1906 is the year the statue was made. The new Chiesa di San Gaetano is a recently constructed building. This brings out different details of the religious heritage: a single figure with a specific year of creation and the description of a more recent church building. If you are interested in cultural history, this look at a specific artwork complements the themes of archaeology and landscape.

Discover more destinations: Milazzo, Calvaruso, Terme Vigliatore, Scaletta Marina, Lingua, Furci Siculo, Fondachello, Tortorici

For the broader travel overview: Messina.