Discover Maierato: Churches, Nature Trails and Local Traditions

Maierato combines churches, historical traces, local traditions and trails in the Valle del Mesima. In the town centre, near Lupìa, on the Altopiano degli Scrisi and at Lago dell’Angitola, there are specific sites for local history, grain customs, walks and nature observation.

Churches and Historical Traces

In the heart of Maierato lies the Parrocchia di San Michele e San Nicola Maierato. It preserves valuable works as well as testimonies of popular religious belief. Visitors interested in culture can focus here on sacred art and traditional testimonies of faith.

The Chiesa di Santa Maria della Provvidenza stands on the site of the former Dominican monastery and is also known as “d' 'u Monasteri”. The former monastery site is therefore one of the historical references associated with this church.

The Chiesa di Maria Santissima Addolorata stands in the heart of Maierato’s town centre and was probably built in the 18th century. Its location and dating add to the historical traces in the town centre.

The Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pietà was completed in 1822, thirty-nine years after the catastrophic earthquake. The year marks another specific stage in Maierato’s building history.

Fontana Vecchia near Lupìa

Near the Lupìa district, Fontana Vecchia still exists today as a drinking-water spring. The first houses of present-day Maierato are said to have been built in its vicinity.

Grain Customs and the Festa della Trebbiatura

On the Altopiano degli Scrisi in the municipality of Maierato, threshing is traditionally carried out at the Festa della Trebbiatura using an antique threshing machine. Traditional threshing with the antique threshing machine connects the festival with the agricultural customs of the municipality of Maierato.

The Festa della Trebbiatura also celebrates the old Rosia grain from the plain of Maierato. Thus, alongside the threshing process, a specific grain from the local plain is also at the centre of the event.

The Festa della Trebbiatura had reached its ninth edition.

Trails, Ruins and Walks

The area around Maierato in the Valle del Mesima offers trails suitable for trekking, excursions and walks in nature. These three forms of travelling on foot describe the different character of the trails around Maierato.

Those exploring Maierato on foot will see stone houses, narrow alleys and viewpoints with panoramic views along its characteristic streets. The townscape remains characterised by specific architectural and spatial details.

The medieval ruins of the ancient Rocca Angitola are also known as Rocca Niceforo and can be explored on a walk.

The ruins of Rocca Angitola include the remains of the Castello.

Lago dell’Angitola and Bird Migration

At Lago dell’Angitola, nature observation focuses on birds for which the lake is an important resting place on their migration routes towards Northern Europe. Bird migration adds a specific natural dimension around Maierato to the historical and agricultural themes.

Discover more destinations

You can complement your trip with further destinations such as Zungri, Pizzo, Mongiana, Ricadi, Monterosso Calabro, Serra San Bruno, Longobardi and Capistrano.

For the higher-level travel overview: Vibo Valentia.