Historic Centre of Viggianello

What to see

• The Byzantine laure (hermit cell settlements), remains of the “New Thebaid” (9th century), at the foot of the village.
• Palazzo Mastropaolo (17th century), with a carved wooden portal, and Palazzo Caporale (17th century), now also a private museum with period furnishings, antique weapons, books and frescoes in the Neapolitan school style.
• The church of San Francesco, 18th-century, and the chapel of San Sebastiano, of Byzantine origin and renovated in the 15th century.
• The Calvario (Calvary) in local stone (1611).

Traditions

The Carnevale di paglia (straw carnival) (Carnilivaru i Pagghia), with floats and the mask of the Pagliarino, and the tree ritual L’a pitu e la rocca, three times a year; in Pedali, on the third Sunday of August, the pilgrimage to the Madonna del Carmelo.

How to get there

The centre is within the Pollino National Park; it is explored on foot, along stairs and alleyways.

Useful information

• The best time to visit is May, when the broom is in flower.
• See also the castle and the Church of Santa Caterina.