Discover Carlopoli: Trails, Churches and Chestnuts

Carlopoli brings together rivers, forests and historic places. The area includes the Corace and Sant’Elia rivers, as well as extensive woodland dominated by chestnut, oak and alder trees. Typical fauna of the Sila area includes wild boar (Sus scrofa) and wolf (Canis lupus italicum), among others.

Trails between Carlopoli, Castagna and the Corace Valley

Two different routes are the focus for active days. Trail S.1 begins in the old villages of Carlopoli and Panettieri, passes through the surrounding hills and reaches the ruins of the Abbey of Santa Maria di Corazzo in the valley of the Corace River. The ninth stage of the Cammino di San Giacomo Maggiore in Calabria runs from Bianchi via Castagna, Panettieri and Carlopoli to Cicala. Trail S.2 starts at Piazza Brutto, crosses the old town centre, leads to the Sant’Elia River and continues via San Nicola, Celle and Colle la Croce towards Pietra della Difesa. The Abbey of Santa Maria di Corazzo can be reached on foot or by vehicle.

Historic buildings in the old town centre

The historic town centre of Carlopoli is connected by alleyways, narrow paths, underpasses and arcades. Historic, partly medieval buildings feature old portals and wrought-iron balconies. Palazzo Carlo Cicala was built by Carlo Cicala at the end of the 17th century; notable features include the monumental entrance portal and the balconies decorated with acanthus leaves. Palazzo Talarico is a historic 18th-century palace overlooking Piazza Brutto and located near the Church of Madonna del Carmelo. Palazzo De Sensi-Cianflone was built around the 17th century.

The churches also combine local history and art. The Chiesa del Carmine in Carlopoli is an example of Baroque architecture with Rococo stucco work inside. The choir contains an altarpiece by Francesco Colelli, commissioned in Nicastro in 1779. The Church of the Holy Spirit in Castagna was built in the second half of the 16th century and elevated to parish church status in 1612. It preserves an altar, an 18th-century organ and a marble medallion depicting the Madonna and Child from the Abbey of Corazzo. The ruins of the Abbey of Santa Maria di Corazzo lie in Castagna near the Corace River; it was founded in the 11th century by Benedictines.

Chestnuts, cheese and traditional specialities

Carlopoli’s chestnut tradition includes roasted, boiled and dried chestnuts, as well as chestnuts threaded into traditional chains called cullure. Traditional pork products include sopressata, salsiccia and capocollo; they are seasoned with salt and pepper and dried in a cool, dry place. Typical liqueurs include liquorice liqueur, limoncello, fennel liqueur and nocino, made according to old Cistercian recipes of the monks of the Abbey of Corazzo. Provole, fiordilatte, burrini, fresh and smoked ricotta, as well as other sheep’s and goat’s cheeses, are made using cow’s, sheep’s and goat’s milk.

Customs and places for community gatherings

The tradition of Madonna del Carmelo includes a procession through the town, during which the statue is accompanied by the band and local residents after Mass. The procession of Madonna di Corazzo travels from Castagna to the ruins of the abbey and then returns to the Church of the Holy Spirit. The celebrations of San Giuseppe in Castagna include the blessing and distribution of bread, a procession and the communal preparation of pasta e ceci. Traces of the Macchina della Lana, an old fulling mill that operated until the 1950s, can be seen along the Corace River. The old part of Carlopoli also has a small municipal amphitheatre that was recently renovated and is available for smaller functions and events.

More places to help you plan

San Pietro a Maida, Guardavalle, Maida, Cropani Marina, Motta Santa Lucia, Simeri Mare, Sorbo San Basile, Badolato Marina

For the main travel overview: Catanzaro.