Antece Mystery and St. Michael Archangel Cave
In Alburni Mountains
- Trail Conditions: On foot
- Interest: Flora, Wildlife, Geology, Panorama, Archeology
- Departure: Sant'Angelo a Fasanella (540m)
- Arrival: Costa Palomba (1,125m)
- Duration: 6 hour/s 30 minutes
- Difficulty Level: EE - For expert hikers
- Length: 8 km
- Difference in height: 585m
- Recommended Period: from March to November
From S. Angelo a Fasanella (540m), loc. S. Gennaro, go ahead towards Pozzo Pilieri (680) along trail no. 313 up to 1,099m of altitude, then turn left (west) and take trail no. 313/a to reach Costa Palomba, where you will find the rupestral sculpture representing Antece, an ancient warrior. Who did sculpt the Antece, the mysterious warrior of "Costa Palomba"?
It seems that this isolated place of Alburni Mountains was already known by man since Prehistory. Without a doubt, it represented a sacred place for the Lucanian people who populated these mountains and who, probably, celebrated their religious rites here. The enigmatic sculpture seems to watch over the natural beauties making Alburni mountains so fascinating and mysterious: the imposing beech trees, the overhanging rocks, the caves, the swallow holes, the presence of the wolf, the breathtaking views and, more downstream, the towns with their history and monuments. One of the most significant one is, without a doubt, St. Michael Archangel Cave, a well-preserved rupestral church. Here the stratification of history has left its signs in the precious statues of the saints decorating the chapel and transforming it into a real casket of culture and ancient memories.
