Sant'Alfonso: Nature, Culture and Trails in Lauria

Regional Orientation

The SP 154 Sant'Alfonso provincial road is listed in the road classification at the SP 101 di Seluci and the SS 653 at kilometer 0+800. Lauria is a transport hub for the A2 motorway, also known as the Autostrada del Mediterraneo, between Salerno and Reggio Calabria, for the Fondovalle Sinnica route to the Ionian coast of Basilicata, and for the Fondovalle del Noce route to the Tyrrhenian coast of Calabria and Basilicata. If you would like to combine different landscapes and cultural areas during your journey, these transport routes provide clear regional orientation.

National Park and Views over the Valle del Noce

Within the municipality of Lauria, 1,016 hectares, or 5.8 percent of the area, lie within the Appennino Lucano-Val d'Agri-Lagonegrese National Park. The Rupe dell'Armo in the municipality of Lauria is a natural viewpoint overlooking the Valle del Noce. This gives you two main nature themes: protected landscapes and viewpoints.

Churches and Art in Lauria

The Chiesa San Nicola di Bari in the municipality of Lauria contains paintings by Pasquale Iannotta and Mariano Lanziani, including a work depicting Sant'Alfonso and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The oldest document in the historical archive of this church dates from 1522 and identifies it as the first parish church of Lauria.

The Chiesa di San Giacomo preserves a carved wooden choir in the municipality of Lauria; its oldest part dates from 1554. In Lauria Inferiore, the Cappella di San Giovanni Battista contains a fresco from 1521 attributed to Pietro Sarubbo.

Castle and Religious Walk

The Castello in the municipality of Lauria has an octagonal floor plan and massive enclosing walls. Access is possible by prior reservation. In recent years, the “piccolo cammino di Santiago” has taken place in Lauria on the Sunday before the feast of Saint James on July 25: a historic-religious walk to the town's places of worship.

Thermal History and Local Life

In Latronico, the Museo del Termalismo is housed in a historic thermal complex built in 1928. The museum is divided into eight sections covering, among other topics, thermal bathing, local crafts, traditional foods, rituals, festivals and migration.

Monte Sirino and Trails through the Forest

Monte Sirino offers routes for particularly experienced cyclists and trekking enthusiasts, which can lead as far as the Cappella della Madonna del Sirino. Section SI T05 of the Sentiero Italia passes through the beech trees of the Conserva forest to the refuge of the same name. This means your planning can include both more demanding mountain tours and a stage through the beech forest.

Lauria's Culinary Character

Lauria's culinary traditions include homemade pasta, grilled or oven-cooked meat, cheese and various cured meats.

Further Destinations

For further travel planning, you can also explore Banzi, Ginestra, Satriano Di Lucania, Corleto Perticara, Tolve, Barile, Atella and Rapolla.

For the higher-level travel overview: Potenza.