The discovery of small communities
Guardia Piemontese – “L’Occitana”
Starts from Guardia Piemontese, whose population draws its origins from the Valdesi, who today still inhabit the valleys of Piedmont of the Cozie Alps and also the Maritime Alps. The routes first stop is at “The Gate of Blood,” whose name is inextricably linked to the massacre of the Valdesi whose innocent blood, according to tradition, streamed from the Castle to the gate itself and from there in direction of the sea continuing towards the centre of the town. Of great historical and architectural interest is also important the Museum of Civilization.
Duration: 1hr 30mins
Falconara Albanese ‘Fallkunara Arbëresh’ A journey through history and legend
Falconara Albanian is a small village founded around the 15th century by seven families of Albanians arriving in Calabria in 1487, when Elena, Ruler of Albania and the daughter of George Castriota called Skandergerg was married to the Prince of Bisignano. The refugees who accompanied the beautiful Helen stopped at an “abbey” on the eastern side of the Apennines which belonged to the territory of Fiumefreddo Bruzio, and it was here they remained for about thirty years, worried by the sight of “the black sails”, a symbol of pirates Turkish. Today Falconara looks like a small green oasis where you can admire the typical buildings and churches scattered throughout the violet. Even now the true treasure of Fallkunara Arbëresh tradition is still kept alive in every area of modern life; the Albanian language, the Byzantine rite, traditions and gastronomy, to name just a few.
Duration: 1hr 30mins
Civita
Civita (Çifti in arbëreshë) located in a highland overlooking the very narrow river gorges of Raganello, is the gateway to the National Park of Pollino. The village is among the historical Albanian communities in Italy (arbëreshë). The village, also known as the Devil’s Bridge, landscapes are set amongst the most beautiful of Calabria. The old town centre shows several chimneys symbolizing the social status of the Albanian families. You can admire the Cathedral Church of Greek rite with the precious iconostasis and Byzantine mosaics, the chapels of Consolation and St. Anthony of the 16th century and the Ethnic Museum Arbëresh.
Duration: Whole Day