Known in the past as Calabria Ulteriore Prima, the province of Reggio di Calabria has the highest population density of the region.
The territory is characterized by thick woods of chestnuts, beeches, helm oaks and white firs, which alternate to olive and wine cultivation, secular torrents and overhanging coasts covered by ferns, brooms, strawberry tree, myrtle, oleander and prickly pears.
It is located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, between the seaside mitigating the temperature and the mountains of a land rich in flavors and colors.
Long and warm beaches delineate its coastlines, opening towards the so close Sicily and the great Etna, a completing part to the landscape. The blue sea is everywhere, with its charm, its colours and its lights.
Aspromonte is the main character of the province: it dominates most of the territory and, thanks to the National Park it’s still a guardian of great forests, and of torrents that fall down hill with evocative waterfalls to become lakes, or to disappear into streams.
Discover and experience the hidden treasures and distinctive cultures and landscapes of Calabria with those who know better.
Calabria Grecanica
The Griko people are a population group in Italy of ultimately Greek origin which still exists today in the Italian regions of Calabria and Apulia. They traditionally spoke a form of the Greek language combining ancient Doric and Byzantine Greek elements.
Over the past centuries the Griko have been heavily influenced by the Catholic Church and Latin culture and as a result many Griko have become largely assimilated into mainstream Italian culture, though once numerous, the Griko are now limited, most of them having become absorbed into the surrounding Italian element.
The Griko language is severely endangered due to language shift towards Italian and large-scale internal migration to the cities in recent decades.
The 'grecanic' areas of Bova, Condofuri, Gallicianò, Roccaforte del Greco, Roghudi are those with the most evident traces of the Magna-Graecia culture. Furthermore, Bova is dominated by the ruins of the Norman Castle. Bova, Greek capital of Calabria, presents it self with the ruins a Norman castle.
The ancient village of Brancaleone Superiore shows the ruins of the castle and of the church dedicated to the Virgin of the Annunziata.
Along the main road of Stati, in the district of Batia, there are the remains of the Norman-Byzantine abbey of Santa Maria of Tridetti.
The sacred and documental heritage is preserved in the Angelo Versace Museum in Bagnara Calabra, with an interesting archaeological section.
In Bagnara don’t miss the Torre Saracena tower. In Locri there are precious archaeological remains of the Masarà and Greek Temples.
The Cattolica of Stilo is an imposing byzantine church which dominates in the medieval centre. Gioia Tauro, once Matauros, comprises an archaeological area and an archaic necropolis in the district of Pietra.
Some of the villages of the area are characterized by Medieval hamlets and noble palaces, like Oppido Mamertino in Scido, housing the Civiltà Contadina Museum. Every year, in August, the procession in period costume replicates the visit of emperor Charles V in Seminara back in 1535.
The biggest torrent of the grecanic area is the Amendolea, which flows in Condofuri Marina, drawing an enormous silver band of pebbles coasted by citrus trees and broom.
The Locride area is also full of torrents, as the La Verde, between Bianco and Samo, characterized by spectacular gorges and water falls.
The area of Tauro, famous for the production of clementines, has a great variety of landscapes. The Piana of Gioia Tauro comprises very fertile lands, thanks to the drainage started in 1818 by the marquise Nunziata and continued by the State during the following decade.
Another characteristic is the area of the Tyrrhenian coast, with terracing built on the hills overhanging the sea. This expanse is called Costa Viola (violet cost) due to the reflections that, especially at sunset, colors the sea. The historical vicissitudes deeply marked this province, and are still reflected by its artistic heritage of inestimable value.
Ideal halts among the localities belonging to the Norman-Byzantine spirituality are the Basilica of S. Giovanni Teresì of Bivongi and the Gerace Cathedral.
There are also very prestigious residences, like Villa Caristo in Stignano, built in the 18th century, Villa di Palazzi in Casignana, which today houses a nearly integral floor mosaic, or the wonderful Villa del Naniglio in Gioiosa Jonica.
In the small centres, it is still possible to discover artisan traditions like the ceramics of Seminara. Here, according to the popular beliefs, the apotropaic masks were used to keep the malignant spirits away.
Even the ancient tradition of the procession of the broom deserves to be observed with a certain admiration.
Reggio Calabria is famous worldwide for the Riace Bronzes, exposed in its Archaeological Museum, established in 1882, and the Cathedral.
On the main altar visitors admire the Madonna della Consolazione, patron of the capital.A ritual, which takes place since 1636, prescribes that, on the first Saturday after the 8th of September, 100 men at a time, under the 10 tons of the Vara, bring the Venerated Effigy from the Hermitage to the Cathedral, where it stays until the Sunday following the 21st of November, feast of the presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, when it is brought back to its usual location.
Mythology and history meet in Scilla, protruding towards the Messina Strait with its rock dominated by the Ruffo Castle.
Territory
The mix of sea and mountain makes the province of Reggio Calabria a paradise for activities in tight contact with nature. Here, art and culture interweave in a succession of symbols and popular traditions, and relive in the folk events linked to the religiousness which characterize the area of the province of Reggio.
Birdwatching is favoured in the grecanic area, inhabited by different species of birds, among which the black woodpecker, the eagle, the harrier eagle and the honey buzzard known as adorno, that move from Africa to Europe through the Strait of Messina to nest in springtime. Photography experts have a wide range of choice.
The Fogliatelle cascade form in the territory of Samo, while the magnificent Marmarico waterfalls, among the highest and suggestives of Italy, are in the municipality of Bivongi.
The bareness of some area allowed the diffusion of the broom. A fibre is extracted from its branches used for the manufacture of underwear and furniture accessories.
The flora is quite varied and well appreciated by fond biowatchers.
In the National Park of Aspromonte the most widespread fauna comprises: follow deer, wild boar, fox, roe deer, badger, sparrow hawk, hawk, and kingfisher. The wolf, considered as disappeared for several years, was then found again in 1988.
There are also several sources of mineral and sulphurous waters, as those in Zomaro and Galatro, a modern thermal establishment. In the internal areas, it is possible to undertake horseback and trekking excursions.
In the Aspromonte area, the touristic centre Gambarie offers over 10km of ski slopes and ski lifts, making this location one of the favourite destinations for the Sicilian and Calabrian skiers.
Many diving and snorkelling experts reach Costa Viola, where seabeds, at few metres from the beach and at some metres of depth, offer a real submerged paradise made of caves, sea fans and sponges’ colonies, and oases of posidonia. An almost uncontaminated habitat housing an infinity of fishes and molluscs.
Gastronomia
The Bergamotto di Reggio Calabria PDO is an essential oil extracted from three varieties of Citrus Bergamia Risso: Femminello, Castagnaro and Fantastico.
The special qualities of the habitat and the constantly changing methods of extraction of the essence from the fruit have made the Bergamotto di Reggio Calabria PDO the most precious and sought after in the world.
The coast between Villa S. Giovanni to GioiosaIonica is the ideal habitat for the cultivation of the bergamot. Production mostly is limited to the Ionian coast, to such an extent that it is a symbol of the entire region. Most of the bergamot comes from a short stretch of land there where the temperature is favorable.
From the mountains to the sea, the torrents are a peculiarity of the province. Their flow, even if short, moves on various levels of depth, creating wide depressions in the ground.
The gastronomy of Reggio can be described as a reminiscence of a simple art made of strong sensations and traditions, handed down from generation to generation and linked to the abundant use of hot pepper.
The most famous characteristics are the soppressata, the capicollo, the stockfish, wine, torrone, etc etc.
Other traditional dishes are the traditional cheeses, the rosamarina, known as the "caviar of the poor " (young sardine with chilly pepper), and the extra virgin olive
oil.
A Tradition deeply rooted in the culture of this area (Bagnara Calabra and Scilla) is definitely the seasonal fishing of the swordfish.
The hunt begins in spring during the fish mating period.
This is a crucial time, it is when the male reaches its sexual maturity , seeking a female to court. Winning her over wont' be easy, for she is usually a bit bashful. To enter into her good graces, the male must woo her, let her lead the way, surround her with care...once conquered, it will for ever be faithful.
Of the two, the male is the smaller one. Always preceding the female, never leaving her side. From these small details fishermen know at a glance, the sex of the two swordfish.
They try to always hit the female first, once hit by the harpoon, she sinks trying to escape, while the male tries to help for the whole duration of the fight which might take hours.
When the body is finally pulled over, the male still tries to follow her , exposing itself and getting hit in turn.
When however, it is the male to be hit first, the female leaves, without regrets...e "nculu a ccu' mora".
POI (Point of interest)
Four of Italy's most beautiful hamlets are located in the province of Reggio di Calabria.
Stilo - Gerace - Bova and Scilla .
Bagnara Calabra -This old town famous for the fishing of the sword fish stands on Tyrrhenian sea on top of a rocky spur.
Bivongi - The town is located in the so called Byzantine Valley of Stilaro, at the eastern end of the province of Reggio Calabria. The medieval town offers the tourist a landscapes of uncommon beauty with a maze of alleyways, steps and staircases leading to houses perched one above the other.
Bova - The town considered the Centre of Hellenism, actively promoting initiatives to preserve Hellenic language and culture. The mountain town is one of the Greek (Griko dialect) speaking villages of Bovesia, one of the two Griko-speaking areas of southern Italy.
Gerace - Positioned on high level ground, the town has retained much of its medieval structure, with winding roads flanked by low houses, and is overlooked by the picturesque ruins of the castle, from where you can admire the breathtaking views.
Gambarie - A summer holiday resort and also the main skiing resort in the region. Excursions can be made to Puntone dello Scirocco (1670 m), accessible by cablecar, and to Montalto or Monte Cocuzza (1955 m), the highest point of the Aspromonte massif.
Locri - A seaside resort, it stands a little to the north of the ancient Greek city from which it took its name. The ruins of a Graeco-Roman theatre and a Dorie temple dedicated to Zeus are on the side of a hill. Higher up can be found the remains of the famous sanctuary of Persephone, where a rich collection of votive offerings has been found.
Palmi - In a dominant position on a shelf of the coastal mountains, it is also a seaside resort with fine beaches (Marina di Palmi at the foot of the town).
Pentedattilo - Abandoned village In the municipality of Melito di Porto Salvo, it is one of the most distinctive villages in the whole of Calabria. Located on the steep slopes of Monte Calvario.
Roghudi the Old - One solitary rocky spur, rising from the white gravel of the river bed Amendolea, lies the ancient abandoned town of Roghudi. The term derives from the Greek Richudi and it means 'rocky, full of crevasses', as if to emphasize the place where this village is located, at the foot of the Aspromonte. A site not to miss.
Scilla - A seaside resort at the mouth of the Straits of Messina. The town slopes down to the two inlets of Marina Grande and Chianalea. lt was the "Scyllaeum" in the Homeric myth of Scylla and Charybdis, the two sea monsters whiph threatened ships in the waters of the straits.
Stilo - One of the most famous Byzantine churches in Calabria is the so called Cattolica, dating back to the 10 th century. Nearby there are grottoes used as Basilian churches.
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Dove dormire
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Excursions e tours
Shopping
Selected Video
CERCASI ALLOGGI DI QUALITA'
B & B
Farm House - Masserie / Agriturismo
Hotel
Resort
Room for rent - Affittacamere
Apartment for rent - Appartamenti
Houses for rent - Case in affitto
MAX : 5 ESERCIZI PER OGNI CATEGORIA x REGIONE
Gastronomia Calabrese
Selezione di Ristoranti locali
Trattorie - wine bar - osterie e pizzerie
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Guide Turistiche - Accompagnatore Turistico
CONOSCENZA DELLA LINGUA INGLESE
centri storici - aree archeologiche - musei, città d’arte .
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The coast between Villa S. Giovanni and Gioiosa Ionica is the ideal habitat for the cultivation of the bergamot. Production mostly is limited to the Ionian coast, to such an extent that it is a symbol of the entire region.
Most of the bergamot comes from a short stretch of land there where the temperature is favourable. From the mountains to the sea, the torrents are a peculiarity of the province. Their flow, even if short, moves on various levels of depth, creating wide depressions in the ground.
The coast between Villa S. Giovanni and Gioiosa Ionica is the ideal habitat for the cultivation of the bergamot.
Production mostly is limited to the Ionian coast, to such an extent that it is a symbol of the entire region.
Most of the bergamot comes from a short stretch of land there where the temperature is favourable.
From the mountains to the sea, the torrents are a peculiarity of the province. Their flow, even if short, moves on various levels of depth, creating wide depressions in the ground.
The biggest torrent of the grecanic area is the Amendolea, which flows in Condofuri Marina, drawing an enormous silver band of pebbles coasted by citrus trees and broom.
The Locride area is also full of torrents, as the La Verde, between Bianco and Samo, characterized by spectacular gorges and water falls.
Another characteristic is the area of the Tyrrhenian coast, with terracing built on the hills overhanging the sea. This expanse is called Costa Viola (violet cost) due to the reflections that, especially at sunset, color the sea.
Most of the area of Reggio is formed by the National Park of Aspromonte, with hectares of forests of pine trees on the Tyrrhenian side and beech woods on the Ionian one.
Finally, the area of Tauro, famous for the production of clementines, has a great variety of landscapes.
The Piana of Gioia Tauro comprises very fertile lands, thanks to the drainage started in 1818 by the marquise Nunziata and continued by the State during the following decade.
The historical vicissitudes deeply marked this province, and are still reflected by its artistic heritage of inestimable value.
Ideal halts among the localities belonging to the Norman-Byzantine spirituality are the Basilica of S. Giovanni Teresì of Bivongi and the Gerace Cathedral.
There are also very prestigious residences, like Villa Caristo in Stignano, built in the 18th century, Villa di Palazzi in Casignana, which today houses a nearly integral floor mosaic, or the wonderful Villa del Naniglio in Gioiosa Jonica.
In the small centres, it is still possible to discover artisan traditions like the ceramics of Seminara. Here, according to the popular beliefs, the apotropaic masks were used to keep the malignant spirits away.
Even the ancient tradition of the procession of the broom deserves to be observed with a certain admiration.
Reggio Calabria is famous worldwide for the Riace Bronzes, exposed in its Archaeological Museum, established in 1882, and the Cathedral.
On the main altar visitors admire the Madonna della Consolazione, patron of the capital.
A ritual, which takes place since 1636, prescribes that, on the first Saturday after the 8th of September, 100 men at a time, under the 10 tons of the Vara, bring the Venerated Effigy from the Hermitage to the Cathedral, where it stays until the Sunday following the 21st of November, feast of the presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, when it is brought back to its usual location.
Mythology and history meet in Scilla, protruding towards the Messina Strait with its rock dominated by the Ruffo Castle.
In the grecanic area the municipality of Bova, Condofuri, Gallicianò, Roccaforte del Greco, Roghudi are those with the most evident traces of the Magna-Graecia culture. Furthermore, Bova is dominated by the ruins of the Norman Castle.
The ancient village of Brancaleone Superiore shows the ruins of the castle and of the church dedicated to the Virgin of the Annunziata.
Along the main road of Stati, in the district of Batia, there are the remains of the Norman-Byzantine abbey of Santa Maria of Tridetti.
The sacred and documental heritage is preserved in the Angelo Versace Museum in Bagnara Calabra, with an interesting archaeological section.
In Bagnara don’t miss the Torre Saracena tower. In Locri there are precious archaeological remains of the Masarà and Greek Temples.
The Cattolica of Stilo is an imposing byzantine church which dominates in the medieval centre. Gioia Tauro, once Matauros, comprises an archaeological area and an archaic necropolis in the district of Pietra.
Some of the villages of the area are characterized by Medieval hamlets and noble palaces, like Oppido Mamertino in Scido, housing the Civiltà Contadina Museum. Every year, in August, the procession in period costume replicates the visit of emperor Charles V in Seminara back in 1535.
The mix of sea and mountain makes the province of Reggio Calabria a paradise for activities in tight contact with nature. Here, art and culture interweave in a succession of symbols and popular traditions, and relive in the folk events linked to the religiousness which characterize the area of the province of Reggio.
Birdwatching is favoured in the grecanic area, inhabited by different species of birds, among which the black woodpecker, the eagle, the harrier eagle and the honey buzzard known as adorno, that move from Africa to Europe through the Strait of Messina to nest in springtime. Photography experts have a wide range of choice.
The Fogliatelle cascade form in the territory of Samo, while the magnificent Marmarico waterfalls, among the highest and suggestives of Italy, are in the municipality of Bivongi.
The bareness of some area allowed the diffusion of the broom. A fibre is extracted from its branches used for the manufacture of underwear and furniture accessories.
The flora is quite varied and well appreciated by fond biowatchers.
In the National Park of Aspromonte the most widespread fauna comprises: follow deer, wild boar, fox, roe deer, badger, sparrow hawk, hawk, and kingfisher. The wolf, considered as disappeared for several years, was then found again in 1988.
There are also several sources of mineral and sulphurous waters, as those in Zomaro and Galatro, a modern thermal establishment. In the internal areas, it is possible to undertake horseback and trekking excursions.
In the Aspromonte area, the touristic centre Gambarie offers over 10km of ski slopes and ski lifts, making this location one of the favourite destinations for the Sicilian and Calabrian skiers.
Many diving and snorkelling experts reach Costa Viola, where seabeds, at few metres from the beach and at some metres of depth, offer a real submerged paradise made of caves, sea fans and sponges’ colonies, and oases of posidonia. An almost uncontaminated habitat housing an infinity of fishes and molluscs.
The gastronomy of Reggio can be described as a reminiscence of a simple art made of strong sensations and traditions, handed down from generation to generation and linked to the abundant use of hot pepper.
The most famous characteristics are the soppressata, the capicollo, the filetti and the 'nduja.
Other traditional dishes are the traditional cheeses, the rosamarina, known as the "caviar of the poor " (young sardine with chilly pepper), and the extra virgin olive oil.
Cities
Villages & Towns
In the outlying of the province, the town of Bagnara distinguish itself for its beautiful landscapes. Bivongi for its church of San Giovanni Theresti. Bova and the Grecanici Towns for their extraordinary cultural survival. Caulonia and Locri for their archaeological heritage. Gambarie, a famous resort both for summer and winter. Gerace for its old town centre and splendid cathedral. Polistena for its old town centre with fine secular and ecclesiastic architecture. Riace is where gypsies meet in September for the feast of Saint Cosmos and Damian. Roccella Jonica for its castle, which is being restored. Scilla, which is inextricably linked to the allure of legend. Seminara, the birthplace of Barlaam, who taught Boccaccio and Petrarch the Greek Language, for its original ceramics. Stilo, birthplace of Tommaso Campanella, for its Byzantine church.
Samo
San Ferdinando
San Giorgio Morgeto
San Giovanni di Gerace
San Lorenzo San Luca
San Pietro di Caridà
San Procopio
San Roberto
Sant'Agata del Bianco
Sant'Alessio in Aspromonte
Sant'Eufemia d'Aspromonte
Sant'Ilario dello Ionio
Santa Cristina d'A.
Santo Stefano in A.
Scido Scilla
Seminara
Serrata
Siderno
Sinopoli
Staiti
Stignano Stilo
Taurianova
Terranova Sappo Minulio
Varapodio
Villa San Giovanni
Art & Cultura
Muesums & Archaeological Sites
In Reggio di Calabria : National archeological museum | Small saint Paolo's museum | Museum of musical instruments | The museum of christmas cribs | The museum of marine biology | The bergamot museum | The textile crafts museum |
The National Museum Of Locri Epizephyrii
Gerace : The diocesan museum
Bova : The museum of paleontology
Mammola : The museum of modern art
Archaeological Sites
Kaulon Locri Epizeferi Medma
Parco Archeologico dei Tauriani
Peripoli Porto Oreste Rhegion
POI - What to see
Teatro greco-romano Marina di Gioiosa
Tauriana Teatro Romano Locri
Villa Romana at Casignana
Calabria Grecanica
Bova, Condofuri, Gallicianò, Roccaforte del greco, Roghudi can be considered the centres that still present the most evident traces of the magna Graecia culture. Calabrian greek, spoken in this places, is an object of study and research, but also a reason of cultural exchanges and initiatives to protect the historical linguistic minorities.
Bova, greek capital of Calabria, presents it self with the ruins a Norman castle.
The ancient village of Brancaleone Superiore(fief of noble calabrian families like the Ruffo and the Scalea), stands on top of a cliff, shows the ruins of the castle and the rests of the church dedicated to the Madonna dell’Annunziata.
Along the main road to Staiti there are, in the Batia district, the remains of a byzantine-norman abbey (XI cent.) dedicated to Santa Maria di Tridetti, and that was for almost a millennium a centre of religious cult an popular pilgrimage
....Learn more about Calabria Grecanica >>>
Locride : Departing from Reggio di Calabria to Bovalino - Locri - Monasterace - Stilo - Pazzano - Bivongi and back to Reggio. Total km 319 - Road conditions : Good.
Western Aspromonte : From Reggio to Gambarie d'Aspromonte - Cippo Garibaldi - S. Eufemia d'Aspromonte - S. Elia di Palmi - Reggio.Total km 104 - Good road condition.
Eastern Aspromonte : Reggio to Melito Porto Salvo - Gambarie - S. Cristina - Plati' - Bovalino - Reggio di Calabria. Total km 128 - Good roads.
Violet Coast : Reggio to Scilla - Bagnara - Palmi - S. Elia - Reggio. Total km 103- Good road conditions.
The coast, from Gioia Tauro to Pellaro, offers swordfish, prepared "ghiotta style" (arab word for tasty dish); "bagnara style" or rather in a water bath with garlic, parsley, oregano and lemon; "pizzaiola style"; "reggina style", with onion, capers, tomatoes, bay leaf, parsley, and chili peppers; rosted ; in rolls; as well as in many other ways.
In addition to the areas of Cittanova and Mammola, the area is also known for its stockfish, which is served raw in salads, with olive, potato and peppers, while tasty rolls are also prepared using the underbellies.
Palmi is famous for its "ziti" and "struncatura pasta" , with garlic, olive oil, chilly peppers, as well as for its mullet. Reggio is known for its "anchovies in a pan"; calf's liver with potatoes, onion and bay leaf; the Christmas "ghiotta" or rather stockfish with cauliflower, onion, tomatoe, olive, raisin and pine nuts;
StockFish - Bergamot - Wine & olive oil tasting
StockFish : From Reggio di Calabria to Mammola -Polistena - Cittanova. Total 91 km - Good road conditions.
Bergamot : From Reggio to Melito Porto Salvo - Condofuri -Bovaarina - Brancaleone - Bianco. Total 99km - Road condition reasonable goods.
Azienda Agriturista 'La Spina Santa" - Produces bergamotto based soft drinks and liquors. -
Local Olive Oil Producers.
The olive oil routes
Azienda Agricola Elvira De Leo - www.oliokouvala.it -
Bagnara Calabra
