About
Canolo is a small village in the mountains of Calabria, in southern Italy, set within the Aspromonte region. It is the kind of place people visit for its setting and its quiet rather than for a long list of sights.
The village and its setting
Stone houses step down steep hillsides, so the village seems to spill across the slopes rather than sit on flat ground. Walking through its lanes means constant changes in height and view, and the terrain is steep, so comfortable footwear is a sensible choice. From the higher parts of the village, the surrounding mountains and valleys open out in wide panoramas.
What a visit offers
- Panoramic views over the rugged Aspromonte landscape
- A glimpse of mountain village life, with its stone architecture largely intact
- Wilderness close at hand for those who enjoy walking and being outdoors
The area is also known for its traditional pastoral life. Local shepherds still keep to older ways of working with their flocks in the mountain country, and a visitor who pays attention may notice that rhythm of the land in the everyday life of the village.
Canolo suits a visitor who wants a slow day or two, good views, and an authentic sense of rural Calabria. It is less suited to someone expecting a town with a full range of shops, restaurants and attractions, so it is worth planning around that and considering the wider region when choosing where to stay.
