Discover Filandari: Churches, Festivals and Pecorino del Monte Poro
Accommodation in Filandari
Filandari combines its elevated location on Monte Poro with views over the Mesima Valley and several religious, historical and culinary themes. The municipality lies on the eastern slopes of Monte Poro, at around 500 metres above sea level. At the same time, it is located near the former fortifications of the city-state of Mesima and has inherited a historical and cultural heritage from this place.
Churches and historical traces
A parish church dedicated to Santa Marina is mentioned in Filandari on 1 June 1530. The former Santa Marina church was built from around 1740, consecrated in 1750 and completed in 1753; it had seven altars and two naves. After suffering severe damage in the earthquake of 28 December 1908, demolition and reconstruction of the present Santa Marina church began around 1925. The present church was consecrated and opened for worship on 1 November 1933.
In Arzona, too, a story leads to the Madonna della Misericordia. The sanctuary was destroyed in the earthquake of 1783; its remains were discovered and located in 1902. Also in 1902, an image of Maria SS. della Misericordia arrived in Arzona without a sender and from an unknown origin. The residents then began building a church dedicated to the Madonna.
The older history of the area includes the tradition that around 850 AD, a craftsman of Greek origin is said to have established a spinning and weaving mill in the Filandari area. This craft later spread to the neighbouring towns of the state of Mesima and throughout the Vibonese area. The Greek place name Filandari is also associated with the Saracen raids of the 9th century.
Festivals between Santa Marina and Arzona
The festival calendar is closely associated with Santa Marina. The feast of Santa Marina Vergine is celebrated in Filandari on 17 July. It includes a solemn procession through the streets of Filandari, during which worshippers carry the statue of the saint. In the cult of Santa Marina, the “calata” or “scinduta” refers to the lowering of the statue from its niche into the centre of the community on the evening of 15 July.
In Arzona, the Madonna della Misericordia is celebrated every year on the second Sunday in August. This means that Filandari and Arzona each have a religiously focused date in the summer calendar.
Cave and regional speciality
For a visit motivated by an interest in nature or spirituality, the “Milk Tears” Cave is relevant. It can be reached via a downhill path to the left of the Calvary.
The local profile also includes Pecorino del Monte Poro DOP: Filandari lies within the official production area. The cheese is made from sheep’s milk. Depending on its maturation period, it is available as “fresh” at 20 to 60 days, “semi-mature” at 61 days to 6 months, or “mature” at 6 to 24 months.
When choosing a hotel or other accommodation, you can categorise Filandari according to your interests: historic churches and the history of Mesima, the festivals in July and August, the path to the cave or the regional speciality Pecorino del Monte Poro. This allows trip planning to be tailored to culture, religious events, an interest in nature and regional cuisine, without reducing the location’s themes to a single type of stay.
To compare other destinations, you can also consider Limbadi, Vallelonga, Longobardi, Zungri, Filadelfia, Mongiana, San Costantino Calabro and San Nicolò Di Ricadi.
For the broader travel overview: Vibo Valentia.
