Holiday apartment in Altavilla: Churches, Corno and Crati Valley

Altavilla combines traces of church history, religious traditions and landscapes along the Corno and in the Crati Valley. Those who choose a holiday apartment in Altavilla will find several concrete points of interest for a trip combining local history, processions and nature observation. Near Altavilla are the Chiesa di S. Maria dell’Assunta and the Chiesa di S. Maria della Neve; at the same time, the town’s history reaches back to an inscription that may date from the Imperial period.

Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta and historic churches

The Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta is the parish church of Altavilla. Its churchyard lies on a terrace supported by three medieval pointed-arch stone arcades; these arcades are dated to the end of the 13th century. From the terrace, there is a view across the Crati Valley. This place therefore brings together a sacred building, medieval stone architecture and a broad landscape view.

The Chiesa della Madonna della Neve is located in the lower part of Altavilla’s historic centre. The Chiesa di S. Maria della Neve is a small single-nave church. Its foundation can be traced back to 1420; at that time it served as a “hospitalis”, meaning a sacred place for travellers, the sick and those in need. It also contains a mid-19th-century altar with a statue of the saint to whom the church is dedicated.

Traditions and traces of earlier times

A tuff-stone inscription bearing the wording “hoc conditum est” near the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta in the hamlet of Altavilla may date from the Imperial period, possibly from the 2nd century AD. Special festive traditions are also associated with Madonna della Neve: traditional drums called Tommarini announce the novena of Madonna della Neve and accompany the procession to the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta. Every year, the statue of Madonna della Neve is carried through all the Contrade of Altavilla – on the calendar, on 5 August, but according to tradition after 15 August.

Torrente Corno and Motta di Corno

The ruins of ancient watermills are visible a few metres from the bank of the Torrente Corno. Another historical feature is Motta di Corno: it was built around 1300 as a defensive system introduced by the Angevins to protect the surrounding area. The local scenery thus extends from water management and landscapes to the medieval defence of the area.

Chiesa di S. Maria della Neve and the riverbed of the Corno

From Cosenza, the Chiesa di S. Maria della Neve can be reached via the road through the centre of Lappano and the hamlet of Altavilla. Then turn into Via Casello and follow it to the church.

A hike to the riverbed of the Corno began at Piazza Zumpo in the hamlet of Altavilla di Lappano. First, the journey continued by car to the locality of Ponte Mulino, and then on foot. If you choose accommodation in Altavilla, you can take these different focal points into account: churches, festive traditions and historical traces stand alongside an experience of the landscape along the Corno. A holiday apartment in Altavilla can thus be selected according to the desired character of your trip.

Further destinations

Further destinations for your planning: Santa Maria Del Cedro, Corigliano Calabro, Frascineto, Rossano, Sibari, Roseto Capo Spulico, Bonifati, Malito.

To the higher-level travel overview: Cosenza.