Discovering Gimigliano

A few kilometers from Catanzaro, perched on the mountain of the same name, is Gimigliano, which has always been known for its marble 'The green of Calabria'. The origins of the city are lost in history, just think that given its strategic position it was inhabited since the Neolithic. Along the valley, crossed by the Corace river, stands the Basilica Minore Madonna di Porto, one of the most important places in the religious belief of the Calabrians. The Sanctuary is a place of pilgrimage thanks to the legend of faith that is linked to it; it is said that a boy went to the place in search of faith and hope and met a woman, the Madonna, who guided him on his spiritual path. It was the young Pietro Gatto who built the small chapel where the icon of the Madonna is placed with a series of frescoes around it. The chapel is located in the oldest part of the sanctuary. Another beating heart of religious life is the Mother Church of the Holy Savior, whose original structure is more than a thousand years old, inside the church there is a copy of Raphael's work, the transfiguration. Near the altar is the original painting of the Madonna of Constantinople, the fulcrum of the religious event held every year during Pentecost. The painting is carried on one's back to the basilica where it is refuted with the statue of St. Joseph. The particular bond with the saints on the part of the citizens is testified by the many places of devotion scattered among the alleys. In the heart of the lower historic center is the Church of the Assunta, a work of the nineteenth century. Inside it is possible to admire a wooden statue of San Giuseppe, statues and an ancient baptismal font made with precious green marble. Gimigliano is perfect for those who want to relax thanks to the greenery that surrounds it, the Corace river park offers paths on which to trek, a plain where you can admire the vast botanical garden and a wall on which it is possible to climb. The path leads to the Green Marble Quarries, an open-air history museum where you can admire the ancient tools used for the extraction of marble. The ancient musical tradition is the pride of the community, the year 1833 is the official date of the constitution of the band which over the years has received several honors. The typical product of the place is oil, used for many dishes. Its production, considered so important, has meant that an oil museum was created where it is possible to admire the machinery used. Typical local products are Calabrian 'Nduja, pecorino cheese, thousand flowers and chestnut honey, dried mushrooms, black cherry jams, salaturo, bacon and capocollo.