What to see and what to do in Parco nazionale del Pollino calabro

The Museum of the History of Agriculture and Pastoralism was founded in the mid-eighties at the headquarters of the Palazzo Salmena. The first materials were collected from the historical exhibition “Peasants and Shepherds in Morano”. Among the most significant materials is a “manual frame” coming from the small town of Albanian Frascineto origin.

The “Andrea Alfano” Art Gallery was established in 1985 and is based in the Franciscan Protoconvent of Castrovillari. The structure houses works by the poet and painter Andrea Alfano who worked in several Italian and foreign cities including Paris, New York and London. Among the most important works are his “Self-Portrait “and “The Mother of the Fallen”.

The Civic Archaeological Museum of Castrovillari was built in 1957 and is located in the premises of the Convent of the Friars Minor. Inside it is preserved the archaeological heritage of the territory of Castrovillari. In its halls there are bony and lithic finds from the Paleolithic site of the Cellimarro district, coming from the protohistoric necropolis of Bellu Luco.

The Museum of Sacred Art, built in 1642, is the second religious structure in the Saracen Market. The Museum is located in the ancient Borgo di Mezzo, in an environment close to the Sacristy. Inside the Museum it is possible to admire many religious works, including a canvas with Christ crucified. The Museum Hall, the true treasure of the Church, contains objects in precious silver.

The Norman Castle dates back to the fourteenth century. Initially the construction was a massive rectangular fortress and six corner towers, built at the behest of Sanseverino di Bisagno. It was, due to enemy wars and invasions, almost completely destroyed around 1700. The ruins that remain are in good condition.

The Aragonese Castle of Castrovillari was built in late - medieval times and later renovated in 1490 at the behest of King Ferdinand of Aragon. The building is located above a flat isthmus and has a trapezoidal structure on the outside with its cylindrical angular towers. The Castle was used as a prison from 1495 to 1999 and currently it can be visited by both tourists and interested visitors.

Aragonese castle of Belvedere Marittimo. Built in the second half of the 11th century. from Ruggiero the Norman.

The Fort of Campotenese dates back to the nineteenth century, was erected at the behest of the Neapolitan army. Here the homonymous battle took place in 1806. Due to attacks and battles, it was completely destroyed. Today, there are no traces of the fort.

The Colloreto Fortified Monastery is located on a plateau, and was built in 1596 by Blessed Friar Agostinian Bernardo da Rogliano. It is no coincidence that he chose this place, as it had to reflect the characters of the hermit religiosity that he professed. From what remains of the original structure, we can still notice the fortification and the tower that overlooks it.

The Museum of Sacred Art was inaugurated in 1987, in the premises of the sacristy of the Church of San Giuliano. The purpose of the Museum is to enhance and preserve the sacred works of art coming from the churches of the territory of Castrovillari. Of great importance, it is a painting depicting the coronation of the Virgin Mary.

The Pollino Naturalistic Studies Center “Il Nibbio” is located inside the Pollino National Park and offers, at the foot of the Norman Castle, a wide look at the wonderful nature collections and the most significant wildlife in the territory.

The Tower of the Tirone was built in 1566 by the inhabitants of the Municipality. Its main function was to spot and report the population in the event of danger. The tower has a square structure and currently enjoys a good state of preservation.

The castle was erected in 1490 by the Aragonese. The building has a square structure, consisting of two crenellated towers. The castle has been declared a National Monument and in the castle square there is a bust of Filippo Sangineto.