10 things you absolutely must see in Morano Calabro

Morano Calabro is a small village in Calabria, a treasure chest full of treasures also known as the Pollino nativity scene, it is part of the most beautiful villages in Italy , the historic center of Morano is fascinating, unique and rich in history.

The village is located in the north of Calabria almost on the border with Basilicata in the heart of the Pollino National Park, the largest protected area in Italy between Calabria and Basilicata .

Art, traditions, typical products, museums, uncontaminated nature, churches and craftsmanship are just some of the attractions of Morano Calabro.

Morano is the ideal destination for those who want to relax and want to experience the authenticity of the Calabrian villages, those who want to learn about local traditions but also those who love the mountains, in fact from Morano it is possible to make many more or less demanding excursions on the Pollino, in Morano it has a strategic position, it can be reached from the motorway junction, it is then possible to easily reach the 2 seas, the Ionian and the Tyrrhenian, it also represents an ideal destination for those who want to break the journey from the north to Sicily or vice versa.

today we give you 10 tips on what you absolutely must see if you visit this wonderful village.

1. The Norman-Swabian Castle

it stands on an outpost from the Roman era, which dominated the entire Coscile river valley from above (the ancient Sybaris at the time of Magna Graecia ).

The Castle took on its current form in the sixteenth century, thanks to the feudal lord Pietrantonio Sanseverino, Prince of Bisignano, who entrusted the work to the best Neapolitan architects of the time so that they could give it an imposing and majestic shape. In fact, the castle recalls the Maschio Angioino of Naples in many aspects and characteristics, especially for its layout.

unfortunately it was bombed by the French in 1806, from there it went into rapid decline. The materials with which Tuff was built, wood and other stones were taken away.

Recently the renovations have allowed us to recover parts of its facades, two front towers and some internal rooms.

2. Il Nibbio Museum.

It is difficult to define the Nibbio as a naturalistic museum, study centre, widespread hotel, all close to the Norman Castle. Nicola Bloise, the owner, has redeveloped an entire neighborhood by restoring old abandoned houses and creating museums and a widespread hotel where visitors can enjoy the ancient part of the historic center. At the Il Nibbio museum you can discover the fauna and flora of the Pollino area and beyond!

3. Museum of Agriculture and Pastoralism

this museum contains a historical heritage of immense value, local traditions and ancient instruments, costumes, utensils, antique furnishings, handloom carriages and much more.

Here it is possible to discover the agro-pastoral life of the past, how the families of Morano once lived, visiting it means immersing yourself in the past of peasant life.

4. The Pollino Shop

it is a special place that preserves ancient artefacts which are still reproduced today by expert craftsmen with the same manufacturing techniques of the past, respecting the local tradition, which can make tourists of this wonderful land discover an important piece of local culture through popular historical tales and the testimony of those who experienced history firsthand.

the interior is furnished with antique objects of valuable value which blend very well with the whole context.

Visiting the Pollino workshop means being able to appreciate the little things created with passion and love for our territory and immersing yourself in what tradition is,

If you love craftsmanship, handmade products and collectibles you absolutely must visit it.

Our project, our workshop, our objective, that of valorising the typical craftsmanship of the area, rediscovering the ancient artisan crafts of the past, as well as redeveloping a part of the historic centre, is located in Via Ferrante 10, one of the most suggestive streets

For any information you can contact us

5. Church of Santa Maria Maddalena

The church of Santa Maria Maddalena was built on the remains of an ancient suburban chapel, probably in medieval times. Expanded and restored during the 16th and 17th centuries, it was consecrated in 1569 and 1757. The green majolica dome and bell tower ocher are visible from any corner of the historic center, but the large presence of works of art inside the church and coming from others make it unique, almost a church-museum. In fact, in the large epic sacristy, the Polyptych by Bartolomeo Vivarini, from 1477, came from the Church of San Bernardino which originally had only the holy arch standing.

6. Church and monastery of San Bernardino da Siena

The church of the observant Franciscans dedicated to San Bernardino of Siena is located in front of the municipal villa and was founded in 1452 by Pietro Antonio San Severino, feudal lord of Morano and future prince of Bisignano.

The convent complex is in late Gothic style. Example of fifteenth-century monastic architecture.

7.visit the Capuchin monastery and take photos from the panoramic point

Built outside the town between 1590 and 1606, the Convent was closed in 1809 following the suppression of the religious Orders, implemented in the "French decade" (1806 - 1815). A first rebirth of the monastery is due to Ferdinand II of Bourbon, currently the convent is home to the novitiate, in the house in front of the monastery there is a small municipal house where it is possible to take beautiful photos of the village

8. San Nicola or Giudea district

The oldest neighborhood of Morano, which has returned to shine thanks to the residents who formed an Association called "San Nicola" which has redeveloped the decorating spaces in an original and traditional way. in this neighborhood it is possible to visit the Church of San Nicola, the oldest fountain in Morano, and the agricultural and pastoral museum.

9. Colloreto to discover the ruins of the old monastery and the Tuffarazzo waterfall

A few kilometers from the Morano Calabro motorway junction there is a natural oasis rich in history, as well as representing a gateway from Morano to Pollino to be covered on foot for expert hikers, this route is part of the Italia path and is called Scale of Gaudolino or the Moranese.

once you pass the Colloreto farmhouse you go up towards the lake which is very beautiful to see, then you go up again towards the monastery

The Congregation of the Hermits of Colloreto, officially recognized in 1604, which had become very powerful and wealthy, was suppressed over time: first in 1751 and then definitively in 1809, with the Murat laws which provided for the abolition of the monasteries and all the others landowning religious orders. Following these events, the prestigious works of art kept in the Church of the 'Colloretani' converged in the town, in the Moranese churches, where they can still be admired today.

From here towards the Tuffarazzo waterfalls, natural waterfalls of enormous beauty just a few hundred meters from the monastery.

10. easy excursion on the Morano-Castrovillari cycle route

Recommended walk in the midst of nature, along the old stretch of Calabrian-Lucanian railway that connected Morano Calabro to Castrovillari, which has been transformed into a cycle path that can be traveled by bike or on foot.

nature, panoramic views and relaxation are the key words for those who travel this splendid route.