Reggio Calabria, places to visit?

A land of nymphs and marine monsters, spells and heroes

Is how Reggio Calabria has been extolled over the centuries. It is the city of “Fata Morgana”, the mirage, a natural phenomenon that creates magical visions. On warm days, when the sea is calm, the Sicilian city of Messina projects its own image on the waters of the Straits and appears suspended over the sea.

The city of Reggio Calabria is typically Mediterranean, full of splendour, with all the attractive charm of a tourist location. The picturesque promenade, the Lungomare Falcomatà, has been called the “most beautiful kilometre in Italy” and is enhanced by palms and exotic plant species in an atmosphere of perfumes and intense colours. The most representative area of the city, it is the centre of the spring and summer tourist season and the hub of cultural life, where people walk caressed by the sea breeze before a wonderful view of the Straits.Nature and history, culture and traditions, fun and interesting events reside in this charming setting.

A walk along the Via Marina reveals evidence of ancient times: ancient Greek wallsand Roman thermal baths. At the end of the seafront promenade is the National Archaeological Museum which houses, together with the Riace Bronzes (the statues of two vigorous warriors fished out of the sea), magnificent and ancient artefacts from the prehistoric, ancient Greek and Roman eras.

The historic centre has its heart in Corso Garibaldi, among boutiques and Art Nouveau buildings, with the Cilea Theatre, the imposing Cathedral, the Duomo with its night-time illumination and the Aragonese Castle, symbol of the fortified wall. The “Chiesa degli Ottimati” (Church of the Optimates), the only Byzantine-Norman church in the city, is found along the so-called Greek-Roman road together with the church of Cattolica dei Greci.

Reggio Campi is a “balcony” over the Straits; connected to Via Marina by a series of artistic steps, it is a particularly panoramic spot from where you can admire the entire city. The splendid Basilica of S. Paolo alla Rotonda is also found in this area.

The totally unique inlet of Scilla on the Tyrrhenian coast is dominated by the Ruffo Castle, close to the water. At the foot of the castle is “Marina Grande”, an exquisite bay.

The true gem of Scilla is Chianalea, a fairy-tale village that seems to rise out of the water. At sunset, from the district of San Giorgio, which sits above Marina Grande, the Sicilian coast can be seen tinged with violet and orange between the sky and the sea.

The beaches of Reggio Calabria

Suspended between the West and the East, the coast that skirts the Ionian sea alternates unspoilt beaches and age-old strongholds, places of great beauty - beginning with Melito Porto Salvo - and an incredibly clear sea.

For those wanting to take a seaside holiday, the beach par excellence of Reggio Calabria is the town’s Lido, located near the Rada dei Giunchi, north of the historic centre and facing the Straits of Messina, which has been enhanced with numerous trees and palms.

The coves of Grotta Perciata, the cove of the “Sirene” (Mermaids) and “Rondini” (Swallows) in Scilla, the beaches of Bova Marina and Melito Porto Salvo on the east coast of Reggio Calabria are other places that are well worth visiting for a swim.

Calabrian products

Strictly handmade pasta, fabulous sausages prepared following ancient recipes, fruit and vegetable, are the testimony of traditions handed down over time. The products of the territory offer fish from the coasts, tasty cheeses, fine DOC and IGT wines, tasty meats from native breeds without forgetting the excellences recognized all over the world such as Tropea onions, sweet and savory, Rossano licorice, fragrant and rare bergamot, and Silano caciocavallo.

Calabria is a land of millenary gastronomy, rich in flavors and aromas that reflect the variety and abundance of its typical local products.

Text by Eugenio Sorrentino

Update by Alisè Vitri

Avion Tourism Magazine
Photos: Sisterscom.com, 123RF, Shutterstock

Video: www.turiscalabria.it

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Monuments of Reggio Calabria

THE COMMUNAL THEATRE “FRANCESCO CILEA”

The history of Reggio’s theatre has its roots in the 1920s. The structure boasts a fascinating tradition and was designed and built in the twenties of last century. The classical and reserved style of the construction with its elegant foyer, grand red curtains covering the stage even if of small dimensions. The first inauguration of the theatre was in 1931. From 2008 some rooms in the theatre building have also been housing the new Civic Art Gallery.

CATHEDRAL MARIA SS. ASSUNTA IN CIELO

Piazza Duomo

The cathedral carries the name of Maria SS. Assunta in Cielo and can be found in the centre of the city, exactly in front of Piazza Duomo which is part of the Pastorale area of Reggio Calabria. The origins of the cathedral date back to St. Paul who came to Reggio during a journey he passed in chains on his way to face Cesare in Rome in 56 A.D.

SANCTUARY OF EREMO

The origins of the Sanctuary of Eremo go back to 1532 when a community of twelve monks from the order of the cappuccini di San Francesco da Paola built cloisters to spread the Franciscan teachings. Destroyed by the earthquake in 1908 and sanctuary was rebuilt in 1912 in romantic style with three naves using a linear structure and bricks. Demolished again in 1954 the modern temple was opened in 1965 and the parish was given to the monks.

THE RIACE BRONZE

The “Bronzi di Riace”, original Greek sculptures of great importance, were recovered by chance on the 16th of August 1972 in the waters of Riace Marina. After being exhibited in the archeology museum of Florence and following that in the museum “Capitolini” in Rome, the statues are since 1981 in permanent exhibition in the National Museum of the Magna Grecia in Reggio Calabria. The technique used for the creation of the “Bronzi” was to weld the separete parts together: the head, torace and arms.

ANGEL PROTECTING

The monument of the Angelo Tutelare found in the square in front of the church of San Giorgio al Corso is considered important not only for its artistic value but overall for the complexity of its content. The statue is in white marble, sculpted in 1637, and shows San Michele Archangel and is to be considered one of the few examples of 17th century art in the city.

Museums in Reggio Calabria

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MAGNA GRECIA

Via Giuseppe De Nava, 26

Opened to the public in 1954, the Piacentini Building protects the countless testimonies of the great civilizations that the underground continues to return in a rich way. Each room is an open window to the past, each object a small jewel recovered from the memories. Also the Museum’s library with over 10.000 volumes, the photographic laboratory and the restoration laboratory are a valuable storage of works from the past.

PINACOTECA CIVICA OF REGGIO CALABRIA

The Pinacoteca Civica, created in the 1980s allows visitors to admire the works donated to the city by private collectors, noble families from Reggio and famous personalities, which have for many years been conserved in the National Museum. It will therefore be possible to embark on an imaginary artistic journey through southern Italy. Located in the building which also houses the theater “Francesco Cilea”, the art gallery enriches the tourist route through the historical centre of the city of Reggio Calabria.

Excursions in Reggio Calabria

ASPROMONTE NATIONAL PARK

Part of the territory of Aspromonte National Park falls within the municipal boundaries. It's the ideal place to observe the animals, take a walk not too far from the city, closer look at the typical species of Calabria and, in the right time, large and small migratory birds, including marine ones, such as balenidi large and toothed whales of the Mediterranean, transiting the Strait of Messina.

PROVINCIAL PLANETARY "PYTHAGORAS"

OF REGGIO CALABRIA

Via Salita Zerbi

The Planetarium, owned by the Province of Reggio Calabria, allows you to play almost all astronomical phenomena, observable both day and night and at all latitudes, but especially to see it accelerated over time. With the construction of the Planetarium, for size and beauty of the Geode outside (one of the most beautiful in Europe second only to Paris) the Province of Reggio Calabria and the Calabria can enjoy the spectacular half for the teaching and propagation of the scientific disciplines.

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