San Donato di Ninea: Culture and Nature in Pollino

San Donato di Ninea combines the elevated position of a fortified village with sacred history, chestnut landscapes and the wild nature of Pollino. The village lies in the Esaro Valley in the southeastern part of Parco Nazionale del Pollino and is situated at an altitude of 658 metres. Here, historic buildings, rock formations and mountain landscapes come together.

Landscape between Pollino and chestnut groves

Parco Nazionale del Pollino encompasses the Pollino and Orsomarso massifs. Its beech, chestnut and holm oak forests are home to endangered species such as the Apennine wolf and the Orsomarso deer. The mountain landscape around San Donato di Ninea is also associated with wild nature, where wolves, deer, black squirrels and wildcats can be observed.

A specific route into this landscape is the “Week-end nel castagneto” trail. It begins in Piano di Lanzo and ends in the square in front of the Chiesa della S.S. Assunta in the village of Motta. Along the way, it passes through wild vegetation and extensive stands of Italian alder. The trail also leads to extensive chestnut groves, which are considered a symbol of San Donato di Ninea.

A section of the Ciclovia dei Parchi della Calabria ends in San Donato di Ninea.

Churches, caves and traces of history

The Chiesa di S. Maria dell’Assunta o della Motta was built between the 10th and the beginning of the 11th century and is evidence of Romanesque culture in Calabria. From there, there is a view across the Esaro Valley as far as the Ionian Sea. The Chiesa Rupestre di S. Vito is located inside the rocky ridge around which the historic centre of San Donato di Ninea is situated.

The Grotte di Sant'Angelo comprise a rock sanctuary dating from the 6th or 7th century, set in natural caves hollowed out by water. The caves contain a medieval fresco of the Madonna enthroned with the Child on her knees. The Grotte di Sant'Angelo also feature a spring that flows year-round and numerous stalactites.

The Castello Normanno is privately owned. In the upper historic centre, it preserves parts of the ring wall and a stone entrance arcade arch. The Arcipretura S.S. Trinità was built in the historic centre in the 16th century on an older religious site; its construction phase was completed in 1631 with the construction of the bell tower. Three frescoes and ornate altars from the 17th and 18th centuries are preserved there.

The Cappella San Donato V.M. in Pantano was built around 1704 and extended around 1893. The Torre Longobarda, by contrast, stands in Palizzi outside San Donato di Ninea. The round tower was used as a prison in the 16th century.

Chestnuts as part of the local character

San Donato’s chestnut tradition includes the “curcia”, “riggiola” and “nzerta” varieties. Chestnuts from San Donato are valued for their rare, intense and dry flavour.

More destinations

More destinations: Pietrapaola, Acquappesa Cs, Pietrafitta, Alessandria del Carretto, Villapiana Lido, Spezzano Della Sila, San Lorenzo Bellizzi, Roseto Capo Spulico.

To the higher-level travel overview: Cosenza.