SAN GIOVANNI IN FIORE
On the Eastern margins of the Sila National Park
is where one will come across San Giovanni in Fiore,
an important centre positioned in a beautiful panoramic setting
looking over the Neto Valleys and its river, Arvo.
History
After a life spent in pilgrimage, hermitage and prayer at
the Sambucina Abbey, San Gioacchino from Fiore founded the
Florenses Monastery (18th July 1189) on the place where centuries
later, the San Giovanni in Fiore nucleus would develop (XV
century).
In reality, some families had already decided to live near
the Florense Abbey (XII century), giving life to the first
housing nucleus of San Giovanni in Fiore.
After having been governed for centuries by the Abbey’s
religious bodies, in 1633 the centre became fief of the Rocci
family and from 1725 to 1806, of the Caracciolo di Martina
family.
A visit to the City
The Madonna del Carmine Church and the S. Maria delle Grazie
Church, which preserves interesting canvases and sculptures
in its interior, both stand in the lower part of the City.
One will also notice the local stone-cutters works in stone
on portals and windows in the suburb. There is also a stone
arch dating back to Norman times.
The main monument of San Giovanni in Fiore is the Florense
Abbey (XII century). It has a façade embellished with
a finely decorated 13th century portal, heralding its interior
of a single nave with quadrangular chapels along the transept.
It is easy to reach the Sila National Park territory from
San Giovanni in Fiore.
Place of interest
- Abbazia Florense (1189)
- Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie (XVI sec.)
- Chiesa di Santa Maria della Sanità (1678)
- Chiesa dei Padri Cappuccini (XVII sec.)
- Chiesa di Sant'Antonio
- Chiesa del Carmelo
- Arco Normanno
- Palazzo Lopez
- Ceppo della Stragola
- Visita di Caccuri
- Visita di Mesoraca
- Visita di Petilia Policastro
Museums
- Museo Demologico dell'economia - Abbazia Florense
- Centro Internazionale di Studi Gioachimiti - Abbazia Florense
Events
- Carnevale
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