Civita is an enchanting hill resort set in the heart of Pollino National Park where tradition and folklore are still alive. Here it’s still possible to hear the inhabitants speaking Arbëreshë, the language of the Albanian founders, who were fleeing from the Turkish – Ottoman occupation in the XV century.

Signs of this culture, which is protected and recognized by the Italian government, can be found everywhere. To trace back history one can visit the Ethnic Museum Arbëreshë, listen to the typical Vjersh traditional chants, or taste the tasty recipes that still adorn Civitanian tables. The eastern trait it’s evident also in the church of Santa Maria Assunta where there’s the chance of attending the celebration of church services in Greek. Over its main entrance a mosaic it’s placed, picturing San Biagio, Bishop and martyr, Patron Saint of Civita

Framed by a magnificent landscape, Civita enjoys the view of impressive rocky mountains soothed by greenery, which opens to reveal the sight of Mar Jonio. Thanks to such a generous nature, in this place one can spend entire days discovering unspoilt wonders. Hanging in the void there’s the Devil’s Bridge, and the Municipality Ravine which can be admired also from the B&B La Magara, as well as the Raganello gorges, washed by clear and fresh water and small waterfalls.

In these Calabrian areas grows the Loricate Pine: a fierce standing tree. Its bark is made of plates similar to the ones of Greeks’ armor, the Lorica ( a name that recalls exactly that detail). There’s no two specimens alike, each one standing on a trunk different from the other.

In this wonderful village traces of industrial archeology can be found, as the spinning mill and the water mill, which recall a rarefied atmosphere full of genuine charm, in which time dilates. Because everything stops when you arrive at Civita.