Viggianello, the fortified Roman-era village

The village of Viggianello stands along the ancient Via Popilia, which once connected Reggio Calabria to Capua.

Thanks to this strategic position, the Roman army decided to build a castrum here to be used in the wars against the Lucanians. Its name derives precisely from that Roman outpost: Byanelli.

The various peoples who ruled the village also enriched it with an outstanding artistic and cultural heritage.

What to see in Viggianello

The village of Viggianello preserves both Byzantine and Norman influences.

The Byzantine monks left traces such as the laure, groups of monastic cells still visible at the foot of the historic center, while the kàstrion was the Byzantine fortress. The Normans founded the current settlement, incorporating the ancient Arab quarter of Ravita, and built a watchtower on the highest point, where the Roman castrum once stood. The castle was later expanded by the Swabians, with Frederick II staying there twice, and then conquered by the Aragonese under Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba. The Sanseverino princes transformed it into a noble residence.

Among the churches, notable are the Chapel of San Sebastiano, the Mother Church of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria with numerous works of art and a crypt with Baroque mummies, and the Basilian church of the Holy Trinity with reemerging frescoes. In the Convent of Sant’Antonio stands the fine white marble statue of the Madonna and Child by Pietro Bernini. The village also boasts historic palaces, 19th-century fountains, and a splendid view of the Mercure-Lao valley from Piazza Umberto I.

Events in the village

Viggianello celebrates numerous traditional festivals. The Sagra dei Falò (March 19 and April 2) features the lighting of wood bundles in the squares to wish for a fertile spring. The Feast of San Francesco di Paola, held the week after Easter and on the last Sunday of August, includes the arboreal rite of the pitu, a tree trunk carried in procession with songs, dances, and music. Similar rites take place in the hamlets of Zarafa and Pedali. The Feast of the Madonna del Carmelo, linked to the wheat harvest, is celebrated on the third Sunday of August with the offering of decorated cirii and the ritual dance of the sickle. The Pilgrimage to the Madonna dell’Alto takes place between May and September, along a 15 km route. During the summer, Pollino Estate offers music and cultural festivals. In November, the Chestnut and Mushroom Festival and the Fair of Santa Caterina, the town’s patron saint, are held.

What to see around Viggianello

In the surroundings of Viggianello, the Pollino National Park is well worth a visit, with breathtaking landscapes, trekking trails, and unique biodiversity. Not to be missed is the Grotta del Romito, an important archaeological site with prehistoric rock engravings. Also interesting is the nearby village of Castelluccio Inferiore, famous for its traditions and well-preserved historic center.

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Cover photo credits: Dionisio Iemma