View of Papasidero.

Upper Tyrrhenian Cosentino · Riviera dei Cedri

Papasidero

A Pollino village on the Lao river, famous for the Grotta del Romito and its Palaeolithic art.

Papasidero is a town of about 570 inhabitants in the province of Cosenza, in the heart of the Pollino National Park.

Geography

The territory, ranging from 75 to 1,463 metres, is crossed by the Lao river, where rafting is practised, and includes the Lao River Valley nature reserve, established in 1987.

History

Human presence in the area dates back to the Palaeolithic, as the Grotta del Romito testifies.

What to see

The Grotta del Romito is one of Italy’s most important Palaeolithic sites. The Sanctuary of the Madonna di Costantinopoli dates to the 17th–18th century.

Getting there

By car via the A2 “del Mediterraneo” motorway; by train on the Tyrrhenian railway line; the nearest airport is Lamezia Terme.

Places

What to see around here.

Itineraries through here

Frequently asked questions

What is the Grotta del Romito?
A Palaeolithic site in Papasidero, famous for the rock engraving of an aurochs (Bos primigenius) dated between 14,000 and 12,000 years ago.
Can you go rafting in Papasidero?
Yes, along the Lao river, in the Pollino National Park.

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Useful info

Emergencies

  • Single emergency (NUE) 112
  • Medical emergency 118
  • Fire brigade 115
  • Coast guard 1530

Papasidero

For offices, hours and institutional contacts, see the municipality’s official website.