Holiday apartment in Roccabernarda – between hills, the Tacina and history

Roccabernarda combines a historic town centre with landscapes along the Tacina River and at the Sila Piccola. The historic centre lies on a hill, while the settlement extends to the foot of the Sila Piccola and along the river. When choosing your holiday apartment, you can therefore focus on the themes you want to shape your stay: historical traces, paths through hilly landscapes, local crafts or regional products.

Historical traces between the hills and the Tacina

Roccabernarda was formerly known as Rocca di Taceria; since the 12th century, the town has been known as Roccabernarda. Finds dating from the Greek and Roman periods have occasionally been discovered in the Serrarossa district. Serrarossa itself is a complex dating from Roman and early medieval times along the Tacina Valley. The town’s history and traces of earlier settlements are therefore situated within a closely interconnected landscape.

Among the most striking historical testimonies are the ruins of an archaeologically little-researched castle in Roccabernarda. Apparently, underground rooms have still been preserved there. Nearby are also the ruins of the medieval monastery of San Francesco di Paola. The monastery was founded by Giovanni Cadurio after he returned from the court of Louis XI, where he had accompanied Saint Francis of Paola.

Another distinctive trace can be found on the Tacina River: the artificial caves known as the Grotte di Vitale are considered a possible location of the hermitage where Saint Vitale da Castronuovo is said to have spent two years in the 10th century after a pilgrimage to Rome. This cautious tradition makes the site a historical reference point without presenting its presumed use as an established fact.

Crafts and flavours from Roccabernarda

Local women’s crafts include weaving, crochet, embroidery, wickerwork and applied handicrafts. Local men’s crafts include marquetry and woodturning. Both areas showcase different forms of craftsmanship and give the town an additional cultural character alongside its ruins and trails.

Local products are also part of the tangible impressions of Roccabernarda. Olive oil and products made from it are produced in the town. Livestock farming provides traditionally produced specialities such as Provole, cheese, ricotta and “Sciungate”. The Roccabernarda itinerary also includes a “Garagiata”, a tasting in a typical local establishment.

Hiking and cycling trails through hilly landscapes

Stage 29 of the Cammino Basiliano runs between Santa Severina and Petilia Policastro through the municipalities of Santa Severina, Petilia Policastro and Roccabernarda. It is also accessible by mountain bike. The Via Sacra of the Cammino della Magna Grecia likewise passes through Santa Severina, Roccabernarda and Petilia Policastro; the route runs through hilly landscapes and smaller towns.

For stage 29, the only designated water supply point is in Roccabernarda. The stage of the Cammino Basiliano that includes Roccabernarda is listed as 26 km long. These two details provide a concrete basis if you are planning a stay at your holiday apartment focused on longer trail sections, cycling stages or cultural stops.

More places for planning your trip

You can also expand your travel ideas with Torretta, San Nicola Dell'alto, Steccato, Petilia Policastro, Caccuri, Le Castella, Marina Di Strongoli and Strongoli.

For the higher-level travel overview: Crotone.