Gimigliano: Green Marble, Churches and Trails into the Sila Piccola

Gimigliano lies on the southern slope of the Sila Piccola and combines a distinctive mountain landscape with an unusually prominent stone tradition. The local green stone can be seen in churches, streets, palaces, balconies, boundary and retaining walls, steps and decorations. The character of the town is therefore evident both in the landscape and in the built details of everyday town life.

Hiking between the town, lake and Sila

An important reference point for hikers is the official SI U15 stage. It runs from the Santuario Madonna di Porto to Villaggio Mancuso and leads into the first foothills of the Parco nazionale della Sila. Along its route, it crosses the dam of the large artificial basin Lago Passante and then continues into the Parco nazionale della Sila.

Monte Gimigliano is also one of the town’s defining landscape features. A mountain trail leads from the built-up area of Gimigliano to Monte Gimigliano. The Monte Gimigliano trail offers views of the mountains of Reventino, the Serre and the Sila, as well as the Ionian Sea.

Historic Centre and Stone Craftsmanship

The historic centre of Gimigliano features a medieval urban layout with characteristic stone palaces and a ducal palace. Gimigliano’s green marble was also used for the grand staircase of the Chiesa del Gesù di Napoli, the floors of the Reggia di Caserta, the winter choir and niches of the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, and the central square of Saint Petersburg. The local stone tradition can therefore be seen both in historic buildings in Gimigliano and in examples outside the town.

A route through Gimigliano includes a visit to the Museo della Pietra di Gimigliano. The museum plays an important role in conveying the history and cultural roots of the town. A visitor route through Gimigliano begins in a former quarry for green marble from Calabria and is conducted in cooperation with the Pro Loco. Gimigliano also has a museum dedicated to a historic olive mill, which forms part of the memory and identity of the local community.

Churches with Stories of Their Own

The Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta preserves several specific examples of sacred art and local stone craftsmanship. It contains two sixteenth-century altars made of green marble, as well as a baptismal font made of green marble from Gimigliano, crafted by stonemasons from Gimigliano. The same church also houses a wooden statue of Saint Joseph. The materials and furnishings give a visit to the church a clearly recognisable connection to the local craft tradition.

The Chiesa del SS. Salvatore was built around 967; this period coincides with the foundation of the town and the construction of the church. It is accessible at ground level. It is therefore both one of Gimigliano’s historical reference points and one of the churches whose structural accessibility may play a specific role in planning your visit.

The origins of the Basilica Santuario Madonna di Porto are associated with the year 1751. The Basilica Santuario Madonna di Porto houses the “Cona” by Pietro Gatto, featuring a fresco of the Madonna di Costantinopoli.

Plan Gimigliano to Suit Your Trip

When choosing accommodation, you can focus on two priorities in Gimigliano. The churches, historic centre and museums favour a culture-oriented stay; SI U15 and the Monte Gimigliano trail put hiking, mountains and views centre stage. The choice between a hotel and another type of accommodation depends on the balance you want between sightseeing in the town and time spent in the landscape. Gimigliano offers specific points of interest for both preferences, without requiring you to plan culture and nature separately.

More Destinations for Planning Your Trip

If you would like to extend your trip beyond Gimigliano, you can also include Amaroni, Marcellinara, Pianopoli, La Petrizia, Castagna, Caraffa Di Catanzaro, Badolato Marina and Maida in your further planning.

For the main travel overview: Catanzaro.