Alessandria del Carretto: the village among murals and the heart of Pollino
Located at 1,000 meters above sea level, Alessandria del Carretto holds the distinction of being the highest municipality in Pollino National Park. Visiting this town in the province of Cosenza means immersing yourself in a rare oasis of well-being and tranquility, where nature remains pristine to this day. Founded in the 17th century by Prince Alessandro Pignone del Carretto (from whom derives the unique name in Italy that includes both the founder’s first and last name), the village arose from the ashes of the ancient settlement of “Torricella”. Today Alessandria del Carretto is an unmissable destination for sustainable tourism in Calabria, offering a perfect blend of breathtaking mountain landscapes and an ancient cultural identity.
The heart of social life beats in Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Municipio, where the hospitality of the locals transforms every visitor into an honored guest. Here, between a handshake and a respectful greeting, it is possible to rediscover the flavors of times past. During major events, the community generously offers typical local delicacies, allowing visitors to taste authentic Calabrian mountain cuisine. Whether to admire the colors of spring or to enjoy the rejuvenating silence of the peaks, Alessandria del Carretto represents one of the most precious and mysterious gems of the entire Sibaritide
Population
337
Area
41.12 km
Residents
Alessandrini
Patron Saint
Saint Alexander
A journey through film tourism and ancient traditions
The community is renowned for preserving archaic rituals among the most original and studied in the Mediterranean area. The Festa della Pita, celebrated on May 3rd in honor of Saint Alexander, is a powerful tree ritual of rebirth. During this festival, a white fir tree (the pitë) is carried by hand from the mountain to the town center, accompanied by folk songs and the sound of bagpipes and accordions. This tradition is so evocative that it has inspired great cinema: the village is in fact a premier destination for film tourism in Calabria, having served as the natural setting for Vittorio De Seta’s masterpiece I dimenticati and for Michelangelo Frammartino’s award-winning film Le quattro volte. No less fascinating is the Historic Carnival of Alessandria del Carretto, where the traditional masks of the Polëcënellë stage a pagan ritual between order and disorder, life and death.
Urban art and architecture in the historic center
Strolling through the village streets is a continuous artistic experience thanks to the numerous murals and street art works that decorate the facades of houses, the result of the Radicazioni Festival. These modern works dialogue with the historic architecture, dominated by the 17th-century Mother Church of Sant’Alessandro Papa Martire, characterized by a fine portal and a majestic bell tower. Among other points of interest are the Chapel of San Rocco, noble palaces, and the Guido Chidichimo Museum, guardian of local memory. For those who love biodiversity, the Difisella Botanical Garden offers a guided tour to discover the medicinal herbs typical of Pollino, making Alessandria an ideal destination for environmental education as well.
Not to be missed:
- Mother Church of Sant’Alessandro Papa Martire
- Chapel of San Rocco
- Chapel of Sant’Elia
- Chapel of Madonna dello Sparviere
- Guido Chidichimo Museum
- Wolf Museum
- Alessandrian Museum of Masks
- “Difisella” Botanical Garden
Maple grove of Mount Sparviere
Gallery:
Airports
Crotone (169 km)
Lamezia Terme (185 km)
Bari (178 km)
Naples (265 km)
Stations
Sibari (50 km)
Paola (138 km)
Salerno (214 km)
By Car
A2 del Mediterraneo highway, exit at Frascineto/Castrovillari, then take SS106 Jonica towards Taranto and upon reaching Trebisacce follow the signs for Albidona/Alessandria del Carretto
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Alessandria del Carretto Shares Its Story: The “Pollino Living” Conference and the Magic of “Radici in Passerella” On Sunday, July...