San Lorenzo Bellizzi: Raganello Gorges and Local Festivals

San Lorenzo Bellizzi combines the Raganello’s wild gorge landscape with a local culture visible in its churches, caves, and festivals. In addition to nature, there are the Chiesa Madre di S. Lorenzo Martire, the Grotta di Pietra Sant’Angelo, and local festivals.

Gorge Landscape in Pollino National Park

The Gole del Raganello Nature Reserve is a 1,600-hectare protected area in Pollino National Park. It extends across the municipalities of San Lorenzo Bellizzi, Civita, and Cerchiara di Calabria. The Gole del Raganello offer hikes through wild landscapes at the bottom of deep gorges. Access is only possible when accompanied by authorized guides. The hikes therefore require planning for both the gorge floor and accompaniment by authorized guides.

One of the distinctive natural features is Pietraponte: The large boulder broke away from the right-hand rock face and connects the two banks like a natural bridge.

Starting Points for Hikes

The starting point for the hike to Timpa di San Lorenzo is considered to be a junction near Masseria Perrone in the municipality of San Lorenzo Bellizzi. It is more than 17 km from the town center. On another route, the road follows the provincial road and, before the turnoff to Sgrotto, heads right toward Masseria Alagia; you can park there and descend to the Raganello. The Timpa route begins outside the town center; at Masseria Alagia, the path descends to the Raganello.

Church, Cave, and Festivals

The Chiesa Madre di S. Lorenzo Martire is one of the attractions in San Lorenzo Bellizzi. The Grotta di Pietra Sant’Angelo preserves the earliest evidence of human activity in northern Calabria and gives the town a historical connection reaching far back into the past.

On August 24, a procession with the “cirji” takes place in San Lorenzo Bellizzi. The Sfilata dello ngaudarott follows on the last Sunday of Carnival. During Corpus Christi in June, small altars for the Blessed Sacrament are erected in almost all neighborhoods of San Lorenzo Bellizzi. Over the course of the year, the dates fall during Carnival, in June, on two Sundays in July, on August 24, and in October.

On the last Sunday in July, a religious festival in honor of Saint Anne takes place near the Chiesa di S. Anna of the same name in Località Falconara. An excursion in Località Montagnola is also scheduled for the penultimate Sunday in July. The two July dates fall on consecutive Sundays; the penultimate takes place in Montagnola, and the last in Falconara.

In October, the Sagra dell'uva is scheduled to take place in San Lorenzo Bellizzi.

Other Places for Comparing Italy

If you would like to compare other places in addition to San Lorenzo Bellizzi: Tortora, Firmo, Belvedere Marittimo, Maierà, Intavolata, Taverna, Rossano, Tortora Marina.

To the broader travel overview: Cosenza.