San Donato di Ninea

San Donato di Ninea is a village of about 1,200 inhabitants in the province of Cosenza. Perched on the rocky spur of Motta (850 meters above sea level), San Donato di Ninea is immersed in the Pollino National Park, overlooking the Esaro Valley and the Sibaritide plane. It is an old village that owes its origins to The Oenotrians, who were headed by leader Ninevo (hence the name Ninea), that is also known for the presence of a rich mineral deposit called “Cava dell’Oro”. The village has seen a succession of invasions: first the Longobards, who chose the caves of the Madonna dell’Angelo, caves of natural origin that over the centuries have been eroded by water, as a place of worship and later, the Aretini who brought their patron saint San Donato V.M., and who dedicated his name to the village and to the chapel that is located in the Pantano district (which houses paintings from the Byzantine period). The Church of S. Maria Assunta is an important monument for the village. It is located at its highest point and is a fantastic view point from which to enjoy the surrounding countryside. Inside the church, you can find a miraculous painting of the Madonna Assunta which, on 24 May, is carried in a procession up to this point. The village has a second historical centre in the hamlet of Policastrello, where the feudal castle of the Sangineti / Sanseverini family stands.

The Autumn Festival in November is a very important occasion where chestnuts, for centuries an essential fruit for the Sandonatese economy, are celebrated. The village has a lot to offer to tourists with many mountain activities (there is a refuge at Piano di Lanzo at 1350m above sea level) and given its proximity to the coast, it’s also a great place to stay in the summer.