Reggio Calabria is an ancient city in Calabria. On your own in Reggio Calabria - in the city opposite Sicily Reggio Italy

The Calabria region in Italy can rightfully boast of its picturesque views. He carefully preserves his spirit, full of beauty and harmony, despite natural disasters and difficult history. Here the features of French, Spanish, Greek, Albanian and Byzantine culture are intertwined. The pearl of Calabria is considered to be one of the most ancient cities in this region - Reggio di Calabria.

The city is located at the very “tip of the nose” of the Italian “boot” and is a port. Its excellent geographical position has made it possible to develop economic relations since ancient times. Reggio di Calabria is one of the most popular cities in southern Italy.

Those who dream of admiring the beauty of the entire region or visiting the island of Sicily come here. The city of ferries can surprise not only with its transport, but also with its rich cuisine, traditions and unique cultural heritage.

The layout of Reggio di Calabria is not typical for Italian cities: fairly large squares and rectangular streets, the embankment starting from the station is considered “the most beautiful kilometer in Italy.” Clear sea, light breeze, fruit and exotic trees, mansions, villas and palaces, silhouettes of Sicily and the Etna volcano...

Tourists can enjoy views of the ruins of Roman baths and Greek walls built in the 4th century BC.

Corso Garibaldi is considered the central street of the city. This is where the main attractions, the Cathedral, and many restaurants and shops are located.

Maria Santissima Assunta in Celo Cathedral is the highest religious institution in the city. Its height is 21 meters, width is 22 meters and length is 94 meters. The first cathedral was built back in 1061. In the 18th century it was transformed, choosing the Sicilian Baroque style. However, after the earthquake of 1908, the cathedral had to be rebuilt. Reconstruction work lasted 11 years and ended in 1928.

In 1978, the Cathedral of Maria Santissima Assunta in Celo received the status of a minor basilica. Inside the cathedral, well illuminated by colored stained glass windows, it is worth paying attention to the marble altar and bronze bas-reliefs of Antonio Berti, the two fonts of Concesso Barca, the medallion of Francesco Gerace, paintings from the 19th century and the sarcophagi of local priests from the 5th and 6th centuries. Next to the cathedral is a statue of the Apostle Paul and the first bishop Stefano di Nicea.

On Corso Garibaldi is the largest Teatro Francesco Cilea in all of Calabria, named after the musician who founded it. If you have the opportunity, visit the Church of Santa Maria Annunziata or Ottimati in Piazza Castello.

Most of the exhibits that are located inside the temple have been preserved in their original form since the 10th century, despite many earthquakes experienced. And the mosaic floor of the Byzantine-Arabic style will amaze any experienced visitor.

It is also worth checking out the Church of the Graziella della, built in 1691 and a prime example of Calabrian Baroque architecture, the Sanctuary of Eremo or Maria Santissima della Consolazione. here is an image of the city's patroness, Madonna Consolazione.

One of the main attractions of Reggio di Calabria is the Aragonese Castle. One of the walls of the castle was built back in the 8th century BC. By 1027, it was completely rebuilt, and the castle received its name in honor of Federico 1 of Aragon, who made a radical renovation of it. The structure was of a protective nature from external enemies. Neither earthquakes nor troops could destroy this archaeological site.

To understand the history of the Calabria region, you simply need to look into the National Museum of Magna Graecia. Here you will plunge into the interweaving of many cultures that have left their mark on the history of not only the city, but also the region as a whole. The museum is located in the building of Palazzo Piacentini and owes its creation to a group of artists and scientists who took the initiative in 1882 to open such an institution.

The museum displays numerous artifacts from the Byzantine Empire and Ancient Rome. You should also visit small local museums - Locri, Lamezia Terme and Sibari. In Piazza De Nava at the Reggio National Museum, look out for the warrior figures discovered in Riace Marina only in 1972. Also very interesting are jewelry, mirrors, medals, a collection of pinakas, a marble head of Apollo from Chiro and much more.

It is impossible to leave the city without seeing the Mirage of Reggio Calabria. The Fata Morgana appears at certain times in the Gulf of Messina. Outside the city is another symbol of Reggio di Calabria - Aspromonte. Today, on the slopes of this mountain there is a park and ski resort called Gambari. 22 kilometers from the city there is an amazing place - Shilla. This place is noteworthy for its beach with a fireworks festival, the best restaurants and discos, Ruffo Castle, located on a cliff above the beach bay and the fishermen's village of Chianalev, where you can taste the best seafood and fish dishes, and the culinary art of preparing swordfish has made it a unique symbol Shills.

The culinary traditions of Calabria are also strong. One of the most famous is the 13 dishes on the Christmas table (no dish less or more). The region is famous not only for the large number of vegetables grown, but also for meat dishes, seafood and fish dishes: alalunga in agrodolce (tuna with onions in sweet and sour sauce), sarde a scapece (sardines fried in breadcrumbs), alici (fried anchovies) , Pesce stocco alla calabrese (dried cod), liver sausage, pork cervelat, salted ham, pork sausages, smoked rolls, holiday lasagna and much more.

Calabria is also famous for its unique cheeses: Ricotta di pecora, Ricotta di capra, Ricottone salato, Ricotta di capra affumicata di Mammola, Caprino della Limina, Pecorino del Monte Poro, Pecorino Crotonese. Here you can taste numerous local wines.

Year after year, Reggio Calabria attracts tourists from all over the world with its historical sites and amazing landscapes. This is a place with real character, hardened over many centuries.

The city (our tourists often call it Reggio di Calabria) is the capital and largest city of the Italian region. The city is located at the very tip of the Italian boot, directly opposite the island of Sicily, from which Reggio Calabria is separated by the Strait of Messina.

Foundation of the city

Reggio is the oldest city in the south. There is no exact information about the founding date of the city. There is mythological information that a city in this place existed already in 1500 BC In the middle of the 8th century BC. the area around Regia was colonized by Greek settlers. In general, it should be noted that Reggio di Calabria is the second city, after Qom, founded by the Greeks in southern Italy. By the way, in ancient times the lands around Reggio were called Italy, after the name of King Italy, who ruled in the city. Subsequently, this name began to be called the entire Italian peninsula.

The city of Reggio Calabria was one of the most developed cities of Magna Graecia. Sciences and arts flourished here, and the city had its own philosophical school. During the Peloponnesian War, Reggio was an ally of Athens. Subsequently, Reggio became an ally of Republican Rome, and during the era of the Roman Empire the city became the capital of the province of Brutunia. Naturally, the capital status continued to contribute to the prosperity of the city.

The fact that Reggio di Calabria was located at the intersection of several important sea and land roads of the Roman Empire also had a very positive effect on the development of the city. It is also known that he stayed in Reggio Calabria apostle paul during his trip to Rome. After the invasion of Italy by the Vandals, Lombards and Goths in the 5th and 6th centuries, Reggio di Calabria became the center of the Byzantine metropolitanate in Italy, and from 536 to 1060 the city was the capital of the Byzantine province in southern Italy.

City in the Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages, due to its strategic location, the city of Reggio Calabria was repeatedly attacked by various nations. For example, at the end of the 9th century, Reggio was part of the Arab sultanate in Italy. Due to its geographical location, the city quite often became the subject of disputes between the Kingdom of Sicily and the Kingdom of Naples. These countless wars, as well as the high level of taxes in the region, led to the economic decline of the city in the mid-16th century. In 1783, the city was quite badly damaged by an earthquake.

After era Napoleonic Wars Reggio Calabria became part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies under the rule of the Spanish Bourbons. In 1860, Reggio Calabria became part of the united Kingdom of Italy under the rule of the Savoyard dynasty. True, it should be noted that the Savoyard dynasty treated its new provinces in southern Italy rather unwisely in economic terms. Having huge debts behind them, they tried to squeeze the most out of Calabria. This could not but affect the economic state of southern Italy.

Attractions of Reggio Calabria

The historic center of Reggio Calabria is quite compact and easy to explore on foot. One of the poets called the city’s promenade “the most beautiful kilometer in Italy.”

Reggio Promenade located in the historical center of the city, next to the city beaches. During high season, this part of the city can get quite crowded.

Reggio di Calabria has many ancient monuments. For example, antique walls cities, the construction of which dates back to the 5th-4th centuries BC. This is a fine example of Greek ancient military architecture. Near Reggio's promenade you can explore the Roman Baths.

Reggio Castle was built in 540. During the rule of the Normans in the city, it was significantly expanded. The castle was also reconstructed by members of the Aragonese dynasty in the 15th century. The castle was partially destroyed in the 19th century. Today the castle houses a museum.

In Reggio Calabria you can also see many churches of different eras, explore the palaces and mansions of the Italian nobility, go shopping and, of course, relax in one of the many city cafes.

Reggio Calabria on the map

TOURISTS' ANSWERS:

Colorful Reggio Calabria is located on the southernmost point of the Italian coast, on the shores of the Gulf of Messina. The city is rightfully considered the resort capital of the entire Calabria region. Reggio Calabria boasts a very long and colorful history, full of wars, conquests and reconquests. Many come here just to take a ferry to Sicily and do not pay any attention to the fact that Reggio Calabria itself also has a lot of historical and interesting places. Historians believe that the city, or rather the port, was built around the 7th century BC by the Greeks from Chalkis. For a long time, the Greeks ruled the local lands, since they were the rightful owners of neighboring Sicily, which is separated from Calabria only by the Gulf of Messina. All this left a very strong imprint on the architectural appearance of the city, but unfortunately in 1908 there was a rather serious Messina earthquake, which destroyed most of the architectural sights. After this, the city was already restored as a modern city, because many buildings were lost forever. Today, only a small fraction of the attractions have been preserved, but there are plenty of them to make you fall in love with Reggio Calabria.

Probably the very first and most striking attraction that tourists see is the Matteotti embankment; it starts from the railway station and stretches all the way to the port. Various exotic trees grow along the promenade, and behind them are hidden luxurious villas, mansions and simply palaces of local wealthy residents. If the weather is clear, then from the embankment you can see the coast of Sicily and Mount Etna.

There, near the train station, the wonderful Lungomare beach begins, which stretches along the embankment to the port. In sunny weather it is literally heaven on earth.

But that’s not all, from the embankment you can see the remains of the walls of Roman and Greek buildings, which of course you’ll want to take a closer look at.
It is so unusual to walk among these remains of buildings that were built thousands of years ago.

And if suddenly you both happen to have roller skates :) (well, yes, this is probably for completely crazy tourists), then skating here is simply a pleasure!

One of the largest and most important attractions can rightfully be considered the Cathedral - Maria Santissima Assunta in Cielo. The building measures approximately 92 meters in length, 22 meters in width and almost the same in height. The original building of the cathedral was built back in 1061, after 5 centuries they decided to restore it in the Baroque style, but the earthquake of 1908 spared no one, so the cathedral and its beauty were lost, by 1928 the cathedral was restored and half a century later it was given the status of a basilica.

There are 2 more incredibly beautiful churches in the city - the Church of Santa Maria Annuciata or Ottomati and the Church of della Graziella. The first one was built around the 10th century and the style of the building is called Byzantine-Arabic, the building has a simply magnificent mosaic floor. The second church was built in the Calabrian Baroque style. The church was named in gratitude to the Virgin Mary for her intercession and protection of the city residents from adversity. The church was also damaged by the earthquake; reconstruction was completed in 2000.

Another religious attraction of the city is the sanctuary of Maria Santissima della Consolazione, another name is Eremo. There is an image of the Madonna who protects the city.

The next major attraction of the city is the Aragonese Castle. Historians believe that the main wall of the castle was built in the 8th century BC. During the Norman period, by 1030 the castle was already completely ready. Over the course of many centuries, the castle was rebuilt and strengthened, so that not a single enemy could take the fortress. The building is so reliable that even the Messinian earthquake could not completely destroy the fortress, but it was still damaged. Previously, exhibitions were held in the castle, but now it is closed for restoration.

The city also has the luxurious 15th-century Villa Zerbi, built in the Venetian style.

This is a very colorful building that simply amazes the imagination. Near the villa there is a very fancy sculpture of a very modern style.

There are a couple of other places that are worth a look if you have extra time (although tourists don’t have that): the Museum of Magna Graecia and the Teatro Francesco Cilea. In the Museum of Magna Graecia you should definitely see figurines of ancient warriors, mirrors, clay tablets and many more interesting artifacts that date back to the ancient Greek period.

And one more place that cannot be ignored is the central street of the city - Corso Garibaldi. As in any city, the main street is the busiest and always noisy place. This is where the bulk of shops, cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops are concentrated.

And the most mysterious phenomenon and probably an attraction that not everyone gets to see is the mirage in the Gulf of Messina. The most interesting thing is that it is visible only from the shore of Reggio Calabria. The lucky ones can see a city with palm trees, houses and streets, floating above the water. Scientists explain this Fata Morgana phenomenon by the fact that air currents of different temperatures and densities are formed in the layers of the atmosphere; they create a mirror effect, reflecting the city of Reggio Calabria. The phenomenon appears only in the warm months of the year.

But, unfortunately, as always, there is not enough time for everything (and for many, there is not enough luck to see the mirage). In the summer in Reggio Calabria and on the beach you want to lie down and see the city and learn something new and try something delicious! And then I also want to go to Sicily to see another piece of Ancient Greece.

Is the answer helpful?

Reggio di Calabria is a medium-sized city at the very “tip” of the Italian “boot”, next to Messina.
About 185 thousand people live in this city. Reggio Calabria is a very old city, founded by the Greeks in 720 BC. e. By the way, it was here that the daughter of Julius Caesar and the philosopher Theagenes were born. Dominion over the city passed from one country to another, it was ruined more than once, and at the beginning of the last century an earthquake destroyed the most important and oldest monuments and buildings, and Reggio had to be rebuilt, albeit with ordinary low concrete houses. However, some ancient monuments have survived to this day, so Reggio Calabria is a fairly popular town, where hundreds of tourists come every year. Here's where to go and what to see here.

Avenue Garibaldi (Corso Garibaldi)

This is the main street of the city, which is simply impossible not to visit. The street originates from Cathedral Square and is especially popular among lovers of quality shopping and entertainment. This two-kilometer long face began to be laid and cultivated approximately 40 years ago. Those who value architectural heritage will also like the avenue, because along the street there are quite old historical buildings, palaces, a public library, the Cathedral and the Francesco Cilea Theater.

Church of the Immacolata in Scilla (Chiesa Maria SS. Immacolata di Scilla)

The church also has the name Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The city's most important church is located at the point where three roads meet, dividing the city into parts. The temple was built here in the 13th century, and, thank God, the church more or less survived all the earthquakes that happened during these centuries. True, the destruction also affected it, so today the church is a mix of new parts and parts of the ancient building (in particular, the roof of the building). The interior decoration of the three-nave temple is amazing: an altar made of multi-colored marble, a full-wall mosaic depicting the Holy Spirit, numerous icons, and statues from the 17th century. Very beautiful church!

Address: Via Chianalea, 74

Ruffo's Castle (Castello Ruffo di Scilla)

This castle on the cliff of Cape Skilleo in past centuries was the residence of the rulers of the region of Italy, Calabria. The castle grew out of a fortress that dates back to the 5th century BC, which was the most important defensive point in the area. Due to the fact that the fortress was constantly being completed, the structure is irregular in shape and consists of several parts. But it still looks like a fortress with towers and loopholes. Before entering Ruffo there is a bridge, behind it there is a stone gate with arches, decorated with a 16th century coat of arms. The inside of the castle is quite spacious, with large halls. The main value of the fortress is the active lighthouse of the early 19th century, owned by the navy.

Address: Via Nazionale, 159 (25 km from the city center)

National Museum of Greece (Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia)

The pride of the museum is the best example of ancient Greek sculpture, "Warriors from Riace"(5th century BC) - a bronze sculpture that depicts naked bearded warriors. This statue was found by a resident of Rome who was scuba diving off the coast of the Italian city of Monasterace in 1972. The warriors' eyes are made of ivory and glass, they have silver teeth, and their nipples and lips are made of copper.
Scientists cannot establish who this sculpture is dedicated to, ordinary residents or gods, and even the origin remains a mystery, but someone attributes the creation of the monument to the ancient Greek sculptor Polycletus, and it is also assumed that the figures have different ages of creation. It is believed that the figures had spears in their hands and had helmets on their heads. Another interesting thing is that the proportions of the statues are idealized and have little in common with the real anatomy of the human body. In addition to this outstanding sculpture, the museum also has other magnificent ancient exhibits, such as a bust of "The Philosopher's Head"- bronze sculpture from the 5th century BC. is the oldest known Greek portrait in existence.
Also in the museum you can watch videos (in English) that are dedicated to the exciting history of the opening and restoration of the museum and its exhibits.

Ticket price: adults - €7, children - €3

Address: Piazza de Nava 26

Pentedatilo

This is a ghost town in Calabria, 30 km from the center of Reggio Calabria. Until 1811, the city lived a full life; it was a separate, developed commune. Pentedatilo is located 250 m above sea level, on Monte Calvario. The city was founded as a colony of Greek Chalkis in 640 BC. In the 12th century it was conquered by the Normans. The city was heavily damaged by an earthquake in 1783, causing the migration of much of the population to nearby Melito Porto Salvo. The city was completely deserted; only from the mid-1960s to the 1980s did volunteers from all over Europe move into the cities and work on restoring the city’s structures. At the moment, life in the city is designed only for tourists - local artisans run several shops selling their products, and there is a restaurant. The city continues to be restored, in particular, they are working on the reconstruction of the main street.
Tourists often come here, as well as artists and directors who are looking for a suitable place for their filming. The place remains fascinating and full of secrets; there are many legends about the city. For example, in the gorges of the city's rocks in winter, you can still hear the cries of the prince Lorenzo Alberti, who was brutally dealt with in the mid-17th century.

Also, every summer, guests from all over the country come to this ghost town for the Paleariza festival, an important event among lovers and connoisseurs of Hellenistic culture. Also in August and September, we organize a short film festival here - there could be no place more ideal in terms of atmosphere for such an event.

Temple of Monte Stella

The Temple of Monte Stella is located on the mountain of the same name. This is a shrine in a deep cave in which a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been kept for centuries. From the slopes of the mountain, about 650 m above sea level, wonderful views of the surrounding area open up. As for the temple, it was probably built by Byzantine hermits to live here in asceticism. There is no specific information about the origin of the castle. But it is known that in 1562 a statue of the Madonna della Stella was brought to the monastery in addition to the ancient Byzantine icons. Little is known about this statue either; some believe that its author is the Sicilian sculptor Rinaldo Bonnano. In the temple you can see the remains of Byzantine frescoes from the 10th and 11th centuries, some of the oldest depicting Mary of Egypt, a Christian saint considered the patroness of penitent women. Therefore, there is an assumption that the temple was built not as a house for hermits, but as a cathedral. Then, according to Byzantine traditions, from the first of May to the 15th of August, every Saturday morning at dawn, the women of the Stilaro Valley at the foot of the mountain had to climb the steep slope of the mountain to this temple to pray. One way or another, the place is simply magical!

How to find: 120 km from Reggio Calabria along the southern coast to the village of Siderno

The province of Reggio Calabria is located in the southernmost part of the “Italian boot” on the shores of the Strait of Messina, and bears the name of the main city of Reggio Calabria.

Rebuilt after the natural disaster of 1908, Reggio took on a completely different appearance. The new center is located along the sea, between the Calo Pinache and Annunziata rivers. Today, the seat of the Calabrian Episcopate is located here, and the city’s port is considered one of the largest in the south of the country. The A3 motorway, which runs from north to south across Italy, also ends here.

How to get there

Reggio Calabria is easily accessible by car from Lamezia Terme Airport and Naples Airport. By train you can get there from Naples at the Centrale station, the journey takes 5 hours 20 minutes, also on the Lamezia Terme route, from the Centrale station in 1 hour 30 minutes.

• How to get from Reggio Calabria airport to the train station

Search for flights to Naples (closest airport to Reggio Calabria)

A little history

Ancient Rechion was founded in 743 BC. e., in 270 BC. e. Regium Iulium became the center of one of the southern municipalities of Rome. In the Middle Ages, the city was repeatedly destroyed by Saracen pirates. Today, very little remains of Reggio Calabria's glorious past - the sad result of numerous earthquakes. The last time a disaster struck Reggio was in 1908 and almost completely wiped out the city from the face of the earth.

Weather in Reggio Calabria

Cuisine of Reggio Calabria

The region's most famous gastronomic tradition is the mandatory 13-course Christmas menu. The hostess has no right to be shortchanged. The main dish of all restaurants is sagna chine (lasagne piene) - festive lasagna with the addition of minced pork, mushrooms, peas and eggs. You can’t do without capocollo - a delicious smoked neck roll, along with salted pancetta ham and salsicce pork sausages.

Pork dishes are frequent guests on Italian tables, so cervellata - pork cervelat in white wine and with fennel is solemnly placed in the center. The savory ngugghia liverwurst has a pâté base and spreads easily on bread. Fish and seafood dishes are no less tasty: Pesce stocco alla calabrese - dried cod, alici - anchovies fried in oil, sarde a scapece - sardines fried in breadcrumbs, alalunga in agrodolce - tuna in a sweet and sour sauce with vinegar and onions.

You can’t miss from your tourist menu Maccarruni i’casa - pasta with meat sauce, Frittole - stewed tongue and kidneys, Melanzane alla parmigiana - eggplant baked with Parmigiana cheese and tomatoes.

5 things to do in Reggio Calabria

1. See Fata Morgana, a mirage that appears at certain moments in the Gulf of Messina.
2. Try aromatic swordfish dishes in the fishermen's village of Chianalea, because only the local fishermen know how to prepare a real culinary masterpiece from it. You can get here by train.
3. Enjoy the fireworks festival in honor of St. Roch in the colorful town of Scilla.
4. Bring as a souvenir one of the cheeses sold everywhere: Pecorino Crotonese, Pecorino del Monte Poro; Caprino della Limina; Ricotta di capra affumicata di Mammola; Ricottone salato; Ricotta di capra; Ricotta di pecora.
5. Admire the purple hue of the sea waters of the Tyrrhenian coast, off the coast of Costa Viola (Purple Coast).

Popular hotels in Reggio Calabria

Entertainment and attractions in Reggio Calabria

The city layout, which is not typical for Italy, immediately catches the eye: perfectly rectangular streets cut at right angles into wide spacious squares, and the most colorful straight line is undoubtedly “the most beautiful kilometer in Italy” according to the poet Gabriele d'Annunzio - the embankment taking starting from the railway station.

The famous Matteotti promenade (Lungomare Matteotti) is planted with fruit and exotic trees. There are many mansions, palaces and villas in the Art Nouveau style, and in good weather the silhouette of Sicily and volcano Etna. By the way, nearby are the ruins of Greek walls, which were built back in the 4th century. BC e., and the ruins of Roman baths.

It is better to start exploring the city from Piazza Castello. Nearby you can see the Church of Ottimati (Chiesa dell'Ottimati) in Piazza Castello, inside which individual columns and fragments of the mosaic floor have been preserved, remaining from the Byzantine Abbey of Santa Maria di Terreti and belonging to the fine Arabic style 10th century.

Cathedral of Maria Santissima Assunta in Celo

The central street Corso Garibaldi allows you to go shopping and at the same time explore the vibrant sights of the city. It is here that the Cathedral of Maria Santissima Assunta in Cielo, the tallest religious building in the city, props up the sky dome. The facade of the cathedral, consisting of three parts, has three bronze portals of rare beauty; sunbeams swirl in the stained glass windows. Sarcophagi of local bishops from the 5th and 6th centuries are kept inside the cathedral. Of particular value are two fonts of Concesso Barca, a marble altar with bronze bas-reliefs by Antonio Berti, 19th-century paintings and a medallion by Francesco Gerace - real works of art.

Not far from the Cathedral stands the largest theater in the entire Calabria region, the Teatro Francesco Cilea, named after the musician who founded it.

Arena dello Stretto, Arena dello Stretto

Other temples of Reggio

Another church of della Graziella (Chiesa della Graziella) is a prime example of Calabrian Baroque architecture. Its name comes from the word grazie, which translates as “thank you.” The meaning is grandiose: it is gratitude to the Virgin Mary, who stands up for people and helps in difficult times.

The Sanctuary of Maria Santissima della Consolazione is known among locals and tourists as Eremo. It is within its walls that the image of Madonna Consolazione, the patroness of the city, is kept, whose day is celebrated on the second Saturday of September.

Aragonese castle

Aragonese Castle (Castello Aragonese) is another sparkling jewel of Reggio Calabria. Ravelin, a defensive ditch, an aqueduct, two cylindrical towers - everything has been perfectly preserved since the times of irrepressible medieval battles.

National Museum of Magna Graecia

All the details of the history of the region will be revealed by the exhibition of the National Museum of Magna Grecia (Museo nazionale della Magna Grecia), which is also ready to reveal the secrets of many cultures that have become integral ingredients in the cocktail of the formation of Reggio Calabria. The museum is located in the Palazzo Piacentini building. Here you can get acquainted with artifacts from the era of Ancient Rome and the Byzantine Empire, a collection of pinakas, as well as medals, mirrors, jewelry, and the marble head of Apollo from Ciro. In De Nava Square, located in front of the museum, there are formidable figures of warriors, one of which refers to Phidias. Another unique exhibit is an example of ancient Greek portraiture, the painting “Head of the Philosopher” from Porticello.

Neighborhood of Reggio

Mount Aspromonte, on the slopes of which the park is nestled, on its territory the southern ski resort of Gambari operates, ready to welcome snow extreme lovers in winter.

The neighboring town of San Giorgio will welcome you with a sandy beach guarded by the medieval Ruffo Castle. Marina di Scilla is another excellent golden beach, on the edge of which there are colorful discos and the best restaurants.