Holiday apartment in San Sostene: Church art, nature and hiking trails

San Sostene is connected to the valley of the Alaco River; the Alaco flows into Lake Lacina in the heart of the Parco delle Serre. La Lacina is a SIC area and one of the few southern mountain wetlands with a high diversity of habitats and more than 300 species; around 26 percent of them are rare. When choosing a holiday apartment in San Sostene, you can therefore weigh nature experiences against the town's sacred and festive themes.

Church art and sacred motifs

The Church of Santa Maria del Monte preserves several details of art-historical interest. In 1805, Giovanni Spadea painted a depiction of the Virgin Mary of the Mountain between Saints Rocco and Sostene in the central vault panel. Behind the main altar, dated 1840, there is an altarpiece dated 1787 and signed by the painter Francesco Basile, who came from Borgia. It depicts the Madonna del Monte, San Sostene and Saint John the Baptist. A processional statue of San Sebastiano is also displayed in the niche of the main altar of the Chiesa di San Sebastiano.

Hiking trails with scenic views

The Anelli sull’Alaco route begins at the western service buildings of the Alaco dam and ends at the eastern service buildings; both are located in San Sostene. After about one kilometre of ascent, this route opens up a view of the Lacina basin with its lake. Stage 43 of the Cammino Basiliano takes a different course: it leads from Torre di Ruggiero via San Sostene to Satriano and offers views of the Gulf of Squillace and the Bay of Soverato beneath centuries-old chestnut trees. On one hike, the route led to the Pietra di Momo. On another hike, the waterfalls of the Alaca stream were reached.

Festivals between San Rocco and Madonna del Rosario

Religious traditions are also part of San Sostene's character. The Festa di San Rocco in San Sostene, celebrated annually on 16 August, includes a procession barefoot and in pilgrim attire. At the processions for San Rocco and San Sostene, both saints' statues are carried each time. At the San Rocco festival, San Sostene leads the procession; at the patron saint's festival, San Rocco walks in front of the patron saint. The Festa della Madonna del Rosario in San Sostene Marina is celebrated twice a year: on 20 August and on the first Sunday in October. As a result, the religious festival dates are spread across several points in the course of the year.

Holiday apartment based on your desired travel experience

When choosing a holiday apartment in San Sostene, you can align the focus of your stay with these specific themes. Church art and processions are suited to a holiday centred on culture and tradition, while trails, water and the La Lacina wetland direct attention towards active days in the landscape.

Other places for orientation

Curinga, Amaroni, Decollatura, Lamezia Terme, Botricello, Girifalco, Zagarise, Badolato

For the higher-level travel overview: Catanzaro.