Mongiana: Discover forests, trails and the iron industry

Mongiana combines a forest-rich setting with the industrial heritage of a municipality founded in 1765 as a workers’ settlement for the iron and steel industry. If you would like to combine nature, trails and cultural history, you will find various starting points here for planning your trip: from the protected area and its bodies of water to the traces of former iron production.

Forests, lake and biodiversity

The Cropani Micone forest area in Mongiana was designated a 235-hectare Riserva Naturale Biogenetica by decree on 13 July 1977. Lake Sambuco in the Riserva Statale Cropani Micone provides another connection with nature. It serves a tourist and recreational function while also providing a habitat for numerous species of flora and fauna, including migratory species. This makes it possible to include landscape observation and engagement with biological diversity as distinct themes during your stay.

Trails through the landscape

The “Frassati” Trail follows the Torrente Allaro from Mongiana to Serra San Bruno and back as an approximately 20-kilometre circular route. Another trail connection is provided by the SI U09: After leaving the built-up area of Mongiana, it leads through forests of fir, beech, pine and chestnut trees to Ferdinandea. This is an ironworks commissioned by the Bourbons and dedicated to Ferdinand II for the production of pig iron.

A specific route associated with Mongiana is also available for planning a cycling tour. After Mongiana, the Serra San Bruno–Canolo stage of the Ciclovia dei Parchi della Calabria continues to climb southwards through the Riserva Statale Cropani Micone, with its beech and chestnut forests. These routes have different focuses: the “Frassati” Trail is an approximately 20-kilometre circular route, while the stage of the Ciclovia dei Parchi della Calabria is characterised by its continuation southwards and its ascent.

Iron and steel history on site

Mongiana’s history can be experienced at the Museo delle Reali Ferriere. The museum permanently displays industrial-archaeological finds from its former activities. In Mongiana, the connection between settlement and the iron industry was already established with its foundation in 1765; at the museum, you can explore this historical focus in greater depth through specific sites and finds.

The Museo delle Reali Ferriere also contains two information trails. One is located in the rooms of the Fabbrica d’Armi, while the other follows a path to the Fonderia itself, continuing to the Altiforni, the remains of the Ferriera Robinson and the Cubilot area. In Mongiana, museum content and sites of iron production thus come together, without requiring nature and cultural experiences to be considered separately.

Villa Vittoria and practical orientation

The Villa Vittoria visitor centre houses the Parco della Biodiversità, which is managed by the Reparto Carabinieri Biodiversità di Mongiana. Villa Vittoria also has a botanical garden with 200 different species. The Centro di esperienza ambientale at Villa Vittoria helps numerous school classes and organised tourist groups find their bearings during visits.

When choosing a hotel or other accommodation for your stay in Mongiana, you can therefore first establish your preferred daily rhythm: Would you like to explore trails through forests and along the Torrente Allaro, include Lake Sambuco and its flora and fauna, or focus on the Fabbrica d’Armi, the Fonderia and the other evidence of the iron industry? The natural and cultural sites give your travel planning different, clearly recognisable focuses.

Further places for planning your trip

For further orientation, you can also find Brattiro', Maierato, Longobardi, Limbadi, Ciaramiti, Serra San Bruno, Gasponi and Filogaso.

For the higher-level travel overview: Vibo Valentia.