Petilia Policastro

Petilia Policastro combines a municipal area that is almost entirely mountainous with religious traditions and art. Three specific themes can help guide your choice of destination: its location in the upper Tacina basin, the Cammino della Santa Spina, and the town’s churches and cultural sites.

Mountainous surroundings and the town centre’s location

The municipal area is almost entirely mountainous and dominated by Monte Gariglione. The main settlement lies in the upper basin of the Tacina River. The town centre itself is situated on a rocky spur on the eastern slope of Monte Petto di Mandra. This mountain is one of the more prominent elevations of the Sila Piccola and stands 1,681 metres high. The two mountains provide different points of reference: Monte Gariglione defines the municipal area, while Monte Petto di Mandra describes the immediate landscape around the town centre.

The Cammino and procession of the Santa Spina

The Cammino della Santa Spina begins at the Church of San Francesco, passes through the churches of Petilia Policastro, and continues to the Soleo River. Numerous shrines along the route depict the Stations of the Cross. Both the route itself and its religious stations shape the town’s pilgrimage and walking theme. If you are interested in the connection between walking and devotion, you will find specific points of reference here: the starting point, the route, and the shrines are all part of the Cammino.

The procession of the Calvario della Santa Spina is a special event in the annual calendar. It takes place every year on the second Friday in March. The procession gathers at the Church of San Francesco and then proceeds along the main streets of Petilia Policastro; the precise route may change. More than 100 participants portray the Passion of Christ. If you are planning your trip around this date, check the current procession route in advance.

Church art and culture in the town

The Church of San Nicola Pontefice houses a depiction of the Holy Family by Francesco Giordano, a painter from Petilia Policastro. In the same church, a painting of Saint Sebastian adorns the altar of the old Callea noble family. The two works offer different points of focus: one depicts the Holy Family, while the other is associated with a particular family altar.

The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore contains four paintings. One is a depiction of Saint Anthony of Padua with a kneeling child, dated 1844. In the Santuario della Santa Spina, the Cappellone is considered a reliquary altar and one of the few surviving examples of its kind to remain completely intact. The sanctuary’s furnishings also include the painted wooden ceiling of the Franciscan Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, created by Cristoforo Santanna in 1781.

Another way to explore art is in the historic centre: Via Vico Leone has an open-air museum featuring large murals. Religious artworks in the churches and large-scale paintings in public spaces thus offer distinct cultural highlights.

Tips for planning your visit

One of the two entrances to the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore has an access ramp; the other has three steps. If this difference is important to your plans, confirm the access arrangements before your visit. Guided tours of areas inside and outside the monastery can be booked at the Santuario della Santa Spina. Check the current booking arrangements in advance.

The Grotte di San Demetrio form an ancient complex of more than 20 semicircular caves. An old mule track leads to the caves. As its condition may change, check the current trail conditions before setting out. The caves offer another focus for choosing what to explore during your stay, distinct from church art and processions.

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