Orsomarso, in the province of Cosenza, is a small village immersed in nature, at the foot of the mountains of the Pollino National Park. Hidden among the reliefs of the Pollino National Park, Orsomarso is one of the most authentic villages in Calabria.
With about a thousand inhabitants, this small town still preserves the ancient soul of mountain villages: stones, silence, wild nature and deep-rooted traditions.
What to visit in Orsomarso
The heart of the town is a maze of narrow streets, arches and stone houses that seem to climb the mountain. Walking through the historic center, you can breathe an atmosphere suspended in time. Here are some places not to be missed:
- The Church of St. John the Baptist, built in the 15th century, houses sacred works of notable artistic value.
- The Torre dell'Orologio, symbol of the village, dominates the town with its elegant silhouette.
- The Monastery of Saint Nilus, an ancient Benedictine structure now partially restored, bears witness to the deep faith and religious history of the community.
For nature lovers, Orsomarso is a privileged gateway to spectacular scenery, such as the Argentino Valley, a nature reserve made up of waterfalls, beech forests and rare botanical species, ideal for trekking and excursions, the Argentino Gorges, a wild and spectacular canyon, perfect for those seeking adventures between canyoning and nature walks.
Local cuisine and culture
Orsomarso boasts popular traditions that have been handed down for centuries. The local cuisine reflects the simplicity and the genuineness of the mountain: among the typical dishes, the most notable are the lagane and chickpeas (a type of fresh pasta), artisanal cured meats, stuffed aubergines and preparations based on chestnuts and porcini mushrooms collected in the surrounding woods.handicraft survives in small workshops, especially in woodworking and the production of traditional fabrics. This small Calabrian village surrounded by wild nature and ancient traditions, is immersed in mountains, rivers and woods, an ideal place for mysterious stories and folk tales passed down orally.
The Legends of Orsomarso
- 1. The legend of the Bear and the Marsicano. According to an ancient legend, the name Orsomarso derives from the union of the words “orso” and “marsicano” (referring to the Marsicano bear, a typical animal of the Apennines). It is said that in ancient times, the mountains around the village were inhabited by an enormous bear that spread terror among the shepherds and their flocks. The inhabitants, tired of the raids, gathered in prayer and invoked the protection of St. John the Baptist. After a long hunt, they managed to capture the bear right near the Argentino River. To remember the feat, they called the place “Orso-Marsicano”, which later became Orsomarso. Even today, during some celebrations, it is symbolically said to “tame the bear”, as a metaphor for the forces of nature made friends by man.
- 2. The hidden treasure in the Serra Cave. Another legend tells that in the Serra caves, on the heights surrounding Orsomarso, an ancient treasure is hidden. It is said that a rich lord, fleeing from a war (perhaps at the time of the Saracens), hid his possessions in gold and precious stones here. But the cave is protected by a spell: only those with a pure heart and who arrive at the cave without ever looking back will be able to find the treasure. Anyone who is overcome by fear or distracted is swallowed up by the bowels of the mountain, without leaving a trace.
- 3. The Lady of the Argentino River. On full moon nights, along the banks of the Argentino River, some shepherds say they have seen a lady dressed in white, with golden hair, walking on the water. Legend has it that she is the spirit of a young bride-to-be, who died in an ancient flood before her wedding. Every now and then she appears to wayfarers to protect them from sudden floods of the river. According to tradition, whoever sees her receives good luck and protection for the whole year.
First photo article source: Calabriamagnifica.it
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