Basilian Route - Aspromonte Park Home Museum “Casina Pia”

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In a captivating itinerary from Gioiosa Ionica to Gerace, following the ancient Basilian paths, near the Sanctuary of Prestarona (Canolo), we encounter the Casa Museo Parco dell'Aspromonte “Casina Pia”. This country house, with an attached olive oil mill, was erected on the rock in the heart of the Prestarona valley, a term of Greek origin meaning "shelter of doves". The conservative restoration has preserved the original features of the rural house, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past. The collection exhibited at Casina Pia encompasses treasures linked to the ancient living and working conditions of rural civilization, focusing on activities in the fields, the seasonal operation of the mill, grape harvesting, and domestic life. On the ground floor, there is an olive oil mill, with a three-stone mill and iron presses, dating back to the late 1800s. Furthermore, Casina Pia, which can be visited by appointment, hosts a Home Restaurant that offers typical products for an authentic culinary experience, immersed in history and local tradition.

Posizione

Opening times

Monday 08:00 - 12:00 16:00 - 20:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 12:00 16:00 - 20:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 12:00 16:00 - 20:00
Thursday 08:00 - 12:00 16:00 - 20:00
Friday 08:00 - 12:00 16:00 - 20:00
Saturday 08:00 - 12:00 16:00 - 20:00

Info

Museum of Peasant Civilization "Casina Pia"

The museum headquarters of "Casina Pia" is housed in a building presumably constructed around the end of the 1700s. The structure is located in the center of the Riccio Francesco agricultural estate, between the municipalities of Canolo and Gerace. It is a country house with an attached oil mill, built on the rock in the heart of the Prestarona valley, a term of Greek origin meaning the shelter of doves. The rural house has been restored with patient conservation work that has preserved the characteristics of the past. The collection at Casina Pia encompasses precious treasures related to the conditions and habits of life and work in the rural civilization of the past, marked by field labor, seasonal olive pressing, grape harvesting, and domestic life. On the ground floor is the ancient oil mill with a three-stone mill, iron presses from the late 1800s, and a large storage area for oil. The vaulted ceilings use the Roman system called "caruselli," hollow terracotta cylinders. Casina Pia also hosts a Home Restaurant, where visitors can taste the typical products of the Riccio farm.

Opening hours

The museum is open from June to October, and the home restaurant is available by reservation only.