Rifugio Grandinetti

The Rifugio Leone Grandinetti (1600 m a.s.l.) is owned by the CAI of Catanzaro and is located in the area known as “Latteria”, near the municipality of Zagarise (CZ). The refuge is situated in the heart of the Sila Piccola National Park, at the foothills of Mount Gariglione, surrounded by lush beech forests and century-old tall trees. The old ruins of the Rifugio Leone Grandinetti were built around 1929. On a lintel, the letters “MNF” were still inscribed, which stands for Milizia Fascista Forestale. It consisted of two masonry structures made of local stone. One of them, on the ground floor, was used as a barn for cattle. This might be the origin of the toponym “Latteria” for the area. The other structure, comprised of two rooms with separate entrances, is believed to have served as the headquarters of the “Forest Militia” and housing for shepherds, or as a dairy. Currently, the refuge consists of two large rooms with separate entrances, with attached sanitary facilities (two showers and two toilets for each part). There are a total of 16 beds, arranged in bunk beds, covering an area of 90.2 square meters. The living area (dining area) includes a welcoming atrium, a living-dining room, a kitchen with a corner fireplace, a toilet, a sink, and an office room for the manager. The total area is 103 square meters.