In the city of the miracle worker and patron saint of Calabria, for years there has been discussion about the value of pilgrimage as not only a spiritual, but also a cultural and economic resource. However, the various proposals that have followed one another over time to make the pilgrims’ journey more welcoming and engaging have remained a dead letter. The idea of transforming the religious experience into an integrated opportunity for the city was launched, among others, by Graziano Di Natale, former local administrator and current opposition group leader as well as an attentive observer of local dynamics. Subsequently, some traders also embraced the proposal, highlighting the need to follow the virtuous example of other Italian cities which, around their sanctuaries, have built paths of urban valorisation, hospitality and territorial promotion. In Paola, however, these proposals did not find fertile ground due to the lack of synergy between the various local actors.
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