San Sostene: Alaco Valley, Lacina and Living Tradition

San Sostene combines sacred art, mountain landscapes and processions held on fixed dates. The town is an interesting destination for a trip to Italy if you would like to combine nature observation, hiking and religious traditions. The Alaco Valley, Lake Lacina and the churches offer different points of focus for your planning – from experiencing the landscape to appreciating sacred art.

Alaco Valley and Lacina: A natural area with its own character

San Sostene is connected with the valley of the Alaco River; the Alaco flows into Lake Lacina in the heart of the Parco delle Serre. La Lacina is a SIC site and one of the few southern mountain wetlands. Its habitat diversity encompasses more than 300 species, around 26 percent of which are rare. For those interested in nature, this combination of a river valley, lake and wetland is a specific focal point for exploring the landscape.

Sacred art in Santa Maria del Monte and San Sebastiano

In the Church of Santa Maria del Monte, the central vault panel features a depiction of the Virgin Mary of the Mountain between Saints Roch and Sostene, painted in 1805 by Giovanni Spadea. Behind the main altar, dated 1840, is an altarpiece dated 1787 and signed by the painter Francesco Basile, who came from Borgia. It depicts the Madonna del Monte, San Sostene and Saint John the Baptist. A processional statue of Saint Sebastian is also displayed in the niche of the main altar in the Chiesa di San Sebastiano.

Hiking trails with different perspectives

Hikers can experience several different landscapes. The Anelli sull’Alaco route begins at the western service buildings of the Alaco dam and ends at the eastern service buildings; both are located in San Sostene. After an ascent of about one kilometre, this route offers a view of the Lacina basin and its lake. Stage 43 of the Cammino Basiliano leads from Torre di Ruggiero via San Sostene to Satriano. Beneath centuries-old chestnut trees, it offers views of the Gulf of Squillace and the Bay of Soverato. On one hike, the route took participants to the Pietra di Momo. Another hike also reached the waterfalls of the Alaca stream. This allows you to distinguish between views of the Lacina basin and the distant panoramas along the stage when planning your trip.

Processions and fixed dates throughout the year

Religious traditions in San Sostene are associated with specific feast days. The Festa di San Rocco, celebrated annually on 16 August, includes a procession in which participants walk barefoot and dressed as pilgrims. During the processions for San Rocco and San Sostene, both statues of the saints are carried: at the Feast of San Rocco, San Sostene leads the procession; at the patronal feast, San Rocco walks in front of the patron saint. In San Sostene Marina, the Festa della Madonna del Rosario is celebrated twice a year, on 20 August and on the first Sunday in October. If you plan your trip around such dates, church interiors, forms of procession and the veneration of the saints take centre stage.

These focal points can provide practical guidance when choosing accommodation in San Sostene. A hotel or other accommodation can be selected for your travel plans according to your interests in the routes along the Alaco, the nature of La Lacina, church art or the feast days. This brings different reasons for travelling together: observing nature, hiking sections and exploring religiously influenced culture.

More destinations

You can also include Guardavalle Marina, Copanello, Taverna, Sant'andrea Apostolo Dello Ionio, Gizzeria, Montepaone, Acconia and Gimigliano in your further travel planning.

For the overarching travel overview: Catanzaro.