San Basile is a small, picturesque town in the Calabria region, in the province of Cosenza, located on the slopes of the Pollino massif. This place has a unique character, because it is one of the so-called arbëreszë – settlements founded by Albanians who fled to southern Italy in the 15th and 16th centuries after the fall of Albania under the Ottoman Empire.

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Tomás Bryl

June 18, 2025

Cycling

The inhabitants of San Basile speak both Italian and Arbëreszë, a form of old Albanian. The town has preserved Greek Catholic (Byzantine) religious rites and has its own church with an iconostasis, and liturgies are held in Greek. San Basile is famous for its colorful, traditional Arbëreszë costumes, folk songs and dances, which are cultivated during local holidays and festivals.

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Tomás Bryl

June 18, 2025

Cycling

The main square is occupied by the Skanberg Monument. Skanderbeg, born Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu (born ca. 1405 – died 1468), was an Albanian national hero who became famous as the leader of the uprising against the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. He is considered a symbol of the fight for freedom and national identity of the Albanians.

He was supported by the Pope and European rulers as the “defender of Christianity” in the Balkans. The Pope called him the “sword of Christianity”.

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Routes here

Top cycling routes to Statue of Skanderbeg in San Basile

4.6

(10)

riders

1. Castrovillari – A breathtaking view loop from Lungro

52.6km

03:55

1,200m

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Hard

4.0

(2)

riders

2. Castrovillari – The Pollino National Park loop from Spezzano Albanese Terme

57.8km

03:55

930m

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Hard

4.3

(3)

riders

3. Castrovillari – The Pollino National Park loop from Frascineto

64.0km

04:19

1,010m

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Hard

Details

Informations

Elevation 540 m

Weather

Thursday 29 January

11°C

5°C

60 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 8.0 km/h

Most visited during

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Location: San Basile, Cosenza, Calabria, Italy

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Statue of Skanderbeg in San Basile

1. Castrovillari – A breathtaking view loop from Lungro

2. Castrovillari – The Pollino National Park loop from Spezzano Albanese Terme

3. Castrovillari – The Pollino National Park loop from Frascineto

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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