San Nilo Path
The path of St. Nilo is a pilgrimage route and a discovery of Byzantine Cilento, the area of the Cilento National Park, Vallo di Diano and Alburni where traces of ancient and medieval Greek culture are preserved. The path takes its name from St. Nilo da Rossano, one of the most important exponents of the Italo-Greek monastic revival between the 10th and 11thcenturies.
The path of San Nilo discovering the Byzantine Cilento
The path of St. Nilo in Cilento starts from Torraca, a village perched on the hills of Cilento, and ends in Palinuro, a seaside resort famous for its marine caves. Along the way, you will encounter 14 villages of Cilento rich in history and charm, such as Sanza, Roccagloriosa, Morigerati andFutani. You will also cross various and suggestive natural landscapes,including beech and oak forests, centuries-old olive groves, rivers and waterfalls. The path is about 113 km long and can be covered in 8 stops from 10to 20 km each. The level of difficulty is medium-low and is suitable for all hikers with good physical preparation. The route is well signposted with signsand information panels that illustrate the historical, cultural and environmental characteristics of the places crossed. The path of St. Nilo is aunique opportunity to immerse yourself in the thousand-year history of Byzantine Cilento and to admire the natural beauties of this territory protected by UNESCO. It is also a way to get in touch with local traditions, typical products and the hospitality of the people of Cilento. The trail winds through the dense beech forests of the mountains and the lush patches of holmoaks and olive trees of the Mediterranean region, crossing ancient medieval villages.
The Starting point of the path in the Cilento section was carefully chosen by Nicola Malèinos, who decided to wear the monastic habit to embark on the spiritual adventure. At this stage of his life, he chose the name Nilo di Àncyra, known as the Sinaíta, who lived between the 4th and 5thcenturies and was a disciple of the great Cappadocian Hierarch John Chrysostom. Nilo is attributed with the most common Byzantine liturgy. Like him, after marriage, he felt the call of a great desire for solitude. In addition, he adopted the use of the Eastern Church to keep the initials of the old name in the new one to preserve his identity. The path naturally extends to other important stages of the life of the Calabrian Saint, such as Orsomarso, the place of his most significant hermitage, San Demetrio Corone, where he founded the monastery dedicated to Saints Adrian and Natalia, and Rossano, his hometown. Finally, the path ends in Grottaferrata, where the Saint died at almost one hundred years old. For more information on St. Nilo's Byzantine path you can consult the official website www.camminodisannilo.it or the Facebook page Cammino di San Nilo nel Cilento bizantino.
The path of San Nilo, Palinuro is the last stop
After walking the path of San Nilo in Byzantine Cilento, what could be better than treating yourself to a well-deserved rest in a welcoming and comfortable residence? If you are looking for the ideal place to relax and enjoy the beauties of Palinuro, I recommend the Residence and B&BVillamirella. Villamirella is a residence/holiday home and B&B in Palinuro designed for families. Immersed in lush greenery with very well-kept gardens, it offers generous spaces and a spacious swimming pool with solarium. It is located just a few hundred meters from the center of Palinuro and 1.5 km from the Saline or Arco naturale beaches. You can choose from different types of accommodation: studios, two-room or three-room apartments, all furnished with taste and equipped with every comfort. You can also enjoy the breakfast service with fresh and genuine products. In addition, you can taste typical Cilento cuisine dishes in the indoor restaurant or have fun doing a barbecue outdoors.Villamirella is also the ideal starting point for visiting Palinuro's attractions, such as the blue cave, the lighthouse or the bay of Buon Dormire. You can also practice various sports and recreational activities, such as boat trips, trekking, snorkeling or horse riding. If you want to experience an unforgettable family holiday in Palinuro, do not hesitate to book your stay at Villamirella. You will find courtesy, professionalism and quality at advantageous prices.