Discover Marano Marchesato: Churches, Palazzi and Hill Country

Marano Marchesato is considered a hilly town in the hinterland of Cosenza. Its character derives from religious buildings, narrow streets lined with palazzi gentilizi and landscapes such as the Piano Grande. This combines exploring the town with historical themes and excursions into a wide-ranging surrounding area.

Historical Traces and Religious Buildings

The most widely accepted historical hypothesis is that the local community of Marano Marchesato was formed after the earthquake of 27 March 1638. Following this period, the southwestern part of the settlement was assigned to the Sersale family. Those wishing to understand the town through its history encounter not only individual buildings, but also the settlement’s development as passed down through the generations.

In the Carmine district, the Santuario della Madonna del Carmelo is considered one of the oldest religious buildings in the entire surrounding area. The building has a Latin-cross floor plan and a column-supported portico with a broad triangular pediment reminiscent of the façades of Greek temples. The Santuario also contains a fresco of the Madonna del Carmelo on the main altar, two statues of Mary and Our Lady of Fatima, a carved wooden pulpit, a black-stone holy water font and two 18th-century confessionals.

The Chiesa dell’Assunta is traditionally dated to the second half of the 12th century. Its ancillary buildings and churchyard are protected under a ministerial decree dated 17 April 1999. The Chiesa di Sant’Antonio in Contrada Malvitani was built in the 19th century. The Chiesa di San Francesco di Paola preserves a fresco of San Francesco di Paola executed by Ritacca in 1980, two statues dedicated to the saint, a 20th-century organ and frescoes depicting his miracles.

Palazzi and Protected Buildings

Numerous palazzi gentilizi line the narrow streets of Marano Marchesato and shape its various districts. In Contrada Palazzo in the Malvitani district, the Palazzo ex Orfanotrofio Antonio e Sante Tenuta is protected under a ministerial decree dated 4 March 1991. The Chiesa di San Francesco di Paola and its adjoining rectory are also protected; they are covered by a ministerial decree dated 12 March 2002. The Palazzo Belmonte-Zupo in Marano Marchesato has been protected under a ministerial decree since 14 September 2001.

Plateau, Peaks and Trails

Cozzo Crocicchio is considered the highest peak in Marano Marchesato and has an elevation of 1005. There is a picnic area in the Piano Grande. Several trails lead north from the extensive plateau to the villages of Acquicella and Cerasuolo in the municipality of Rende. This combination of peak, plateau and trails offers different ways to complement a stay focused on buildings with landscapes and outdoor activity, without limiting the town to a single type of trip.

Festival d’Autunno

The second edition of the “Festival d’Autunno” in Marano Marchesato was scheduled for 1 November 2025.

More Destinations to Compare

If you would like to consider other destinations for your travel plans in addition to Marano Marchesato, you can also include Cassano Allo Ionio, Mirto, Torricella, Palombella, Amantea, Malito, La Bruca and San Lucido.

For the overarching travel overview: Cosenza.