Reggio Calabria, a wonder waiting to be discovered.
What you absolutely must not miss in Reggio Calabria.
01
Falcomatà Seafront
Located in the historic center of Reggio Calabria, near the B&B De Nava Suite, it represents the true hub of tourism in Reggio Calabria.
02
Rabarama statues.
Works created by the artist Paola Epifani,
Known as Rabarama, located on the seafront
Falcomatà near Villa Zerbi.
There are 3 statues:
-Trans-Letter
-Labyrinthitis
-Constellation
03
Genoese Villa Zerbi
Beautiful Neo-Liberty style villa rebuilt after the 1908 earthquake. Reachable from the B&B De Nava Suite in a few minutes' walk along the seafront.
04
«Opera»
Recent artistic creation by Edoardo Tresoldi.
46 Greek columns made of wire mesh within a 2500m2 park that can be visited by strolling along the seafront.
Spectacular view of the columns in the evening with the Strait of Messina in the background
05
National Museum of Magna Graecia
Famous for the Riace Bronzes, Palazzo Piacentini, which underwent a complete renovation in 2016, is undoubtedly one of the city's main attractions. Inside, we find archaeological finds dating back to the Magna Graecia period, as well as the aforementioned Riace Bronzes.
The Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 20:00, following Via De Nava towards the center, the Museum is located 200 meters from the B&B De Nava Suite.
06
The Civic Art Gallery
At the Pinacoteca Civica, you can admire several paintings and sculptures owned by the municipality or private individuals. Beyond the artworks housed within these walls, the building itself is worth a visit.
07
Reggio Calabria Cathedral and Marian festivities
Originally dating back to the Norman period, this structure was rebuilt following the earthquakes of 1783 and 1908. In 1978, with a Papal Bull, the Cathedral of Reggio Calabria was recognized as a Minor Basilica.
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On the occasion of the Feast of Our Lady of Consolation, the Sacred Effigy of Our Lady of Consolation is carried in procession from the Basilica dell'Eremo to the Cathedral in Piazza Duomo. This procession is followed by days of celebration, and the city fills with street food stalls, live music events, theatrical performances, and more. September, on the occasion of the Feast of Our Lady, is undoubtedly the best time to visit Reggio Calabria.
The Aragonese Castle
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A crucial fortress for the defense of the city, the walls were originally built during the Byzantine period. The castle was subsequently occupied by the Normans and then by the Aragonese, who expanded the layout and converted it into a residence. Today, the castle, the result of a renovation completed in 2015, is often the site of art exhibitions and cultural events. It is also possible to visit the castle and enjoy the views from the highest terraces.
10
Bergamot Museum
A museum dedicated to Bergamot and its processing and uses. Typically cultivated on the Tyrrhenian coast of Reggio Calabria, this unique citrus fruit grows exclusively in this area and over the centuries has become a true symbol of the province of Reggio Calabria.
09
Palace of Culture
Pasquino Crupi
Many of the works exhibited in this Palace are the result of confiscations from the Mafia. Among the most important works exhibited at the Palazzo della Cultura are those by DalÃ, Ligabue, De Chirico, Bonalumi, Carrà , Campigli, Tozzi, Migneco, and many others. In addition to the works confiscated from the Mafia, exhibited in the room named after Mattia Preti, you can also find works from the Calarco collection, including two works by Nick Spatari and some by Bova, Fabon, and Marino.
Scilla and Chianalea
01
Marina Grande of Scilla
One of the most popular seaside resorts in the Reggio Calabria area, it offers fully equipped facilities with umbrellas and loungers, as well as the opportunity to stroll along the seafront. The sunset by the sea offered by this splendid location is truly enchanting.
Scilla can be reached from the B&B De Nava Suite in 20 minutes by car or by train in about half an hour.
02
Borgo Chianalea
Undoubtedly one of the most iconic destinations in the Province of Reggio Calabria, a visit to Chianalea, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, is a must. Its typical and sensational restaurants offer the opportunity to dine on stilt houses over the sea.
03
Belvedere of Piazza San Rocco
One of the most spectacular views in all of Calabria, from the San Rocco viewpoint you can witness breathtaking sunsets, the sun setting behind Sicily as a backdrop, the Aeolian Islands visible on the horizon and the Ruffo Castle of Scilla and the mountains surrounding it offer a true spectacle of nature.
04
Palms
Continuing along the Tyrrhenian coast of the province of Reggio Calabria, just 35 km by motorway from the B&B De Nava Suite, we find the town of Palmi.
The Tonnara beach in Palmi and Mount S.Elia are definitely worth a visit.
05
Palmi Tuna Fish Farm
Equipped beach, parking and bar and restaurant services available in all bathing establishments, famous for the so-called "Olive Rock".
The Ionian Coast, between beaches and villages.
01
Pentedattilo
On the cliff of Mount Calvary lies Pentedattilo, a mysterious and fascinating village, a hamlet of Melito di Porto Salvo. Abandoned until recently, the ancient village, once considered Calabria's most evocative ghost town, has now been revived by new commercial and tourist activities. A beautiful village with incredible legends. The town takes its name from the shape of Mount Calvary's cliff: a gigantic hand with five fingers (from the Greek pente (Ï€Îντε), meaning five, and dactylo (δάκτυλο), meaning finger). It was beneath this mountain that the castle was first built, and then the ancient village was built all around it, surrounded by an extraordinary natural landscape, a popular destination for hikers and tourists from all over the world. This evocative setting includes the Sant'Elia Valley, home to the curious sandstone rocks of Santa Lena and Prasterà , immersed in expanses of broom, olive trees, mulberry trees, prickly pears, almond groves, and mimosa: a magnificent sight in spring.
02
Bova marina
Unlike the Tyrrhenian coast, which offers numerous small beaches nestled between the mountains, the Ionian coast stretches over 300 km of wide beaches with fine sand and crystal-clear waters. About 40 km from Reggio, we find Bova Marina. This small town on the Ionian coast offers beautiful beaches, many of which are equipped with beach clubs and restaurants.
03
Bova Superiore
The village of Bova Superiore is perched on the rugged slopes of the Aspromonte Mountains, in the province of Reggio Calabria. This small Calabrian village exudes a rustic atmosphere of times gone by. Few people, stone and brick houses with flowers and aromatic plants in the windows, the ruins of a castle, and stunning views stretching from the Aspromonte mountains to the Ionian Sea. Bova Superiore is one of the southernmost towns in Italy and, in addition to being listed among the most beautiful villages in Italy, is also the capital of Calabria's Greek-speaking villages.
04
Palizzi and Spropoli
Continuing along the SS 106 after Bova Marina, there's a stretch of coast between Palizzi Marina and Spropoli, one of the wildest in Calabria, and also the southernmost stretch in continental Europe. Dunes of fine sand extend from the beaches to the white sandstone hills, the so-called "Calanchi di Palizzi." The waters and seabed are crystal clear, and water sports enthusiasts can enjoy snorkeling and diving here. This stretch of coast has also been included in the "Life Caretta Caretta" project, which aims to conserve the largest population of nesting loggerhead sea turtles in Italy, which have chosen this stretch of coast as the ideal place to lay their eggs.
05
Brancaleone - Bruzzano
Brancaleone Beach refers to a stretch of coast designated a Site of Community Interest, approximately 32 km long and encompassing Bianco, Ferruzzano, Bruzzano Zeffirio, and Brancaleone, all included in the larger Costa dei Gelsomini Regional Marine Park. From the Brancaleone Marina promenade, you can access several beach resorts equipped with umbrellas and loungers, along with restaurants and bars. Here, too, the sand is very fine and the waters crystal clear.
06
"Locri Epizefiri" Archaeological Park
Inside the archaeological site of Locri Epizephyrii, it's possible to admire the remains of the ancient Greek colony, which had a regular urban layout crossed by a large artery known as the "dromo." The city walls, built to defend the town, stretched for a full 7 kilometers and are still visible in some places. Outside the walls are the necropolises, while most of the sacred areas are located near the walls. The sanctuaries are located within and feature monumental temple buildings dating back to the Archaic period. Those located immediately outside, however, are less monumental in appearance, although a considerable quantity of votive offerings have been found within them. Among the temples discovered, the best-preserved is the Sanctuary of Persephone, described by Diodorus Siculus as one of the most famous in southern Italy. It is particularly interesting for us given the large quantity of votive deposits found within it, such as mirrors, terracotta paintings, and vase fragments. Near the village of Centocamere, located near the coast, lies the sacred area of Aphrodite, a complex consisting of a small temple, a series of rooms with a U-shaped portico, and a central courtyard. The Theater is another of the monuments still visible today. Dating back to the 4th century BC, it was later remodeled in the Roman era. It is the only non-religious public building unearthed in the archaeological area of Locri. The theater was built in a natural basin and could accommodate approximately 4,500 spectators.
07
The ancient village of Gerace
Gerace is an ancient village nestled in the Aspromonte National Park, in the province of Reggio Calabria. Perched atop a sandstone cliff, it enjoys a privileged location and incredible views of the Ionian Sea and the Locride region. Gerace has approximately 2,600 inhabitants and is immersed in a medieval atmosphere suspended in time.
Its name, of Greek origins, means "sparrowhawk," and legend has it that it was a bird of prey that chose the site where the village would be built. Gerace boasts a hidden and sheltered location, which proved strategically important during the historical events that affected the town, allowing it to remain off the beaten track and retain its ancient charm. The perfection of its churches, historic buildings, and monuments, and their harmonious integration with the surrounding landscape, have earned the town a place on the list of Italy's most beautiful villages.
08
The Enchanted Village
If you find yourself in this part of Calabria in July, you might be lucky enough to attend the Borgo Incantato, a street art festival that enlivens the city streets and makes it, if that's possible, even more magical. And to enjoy the Mediterranean waves, just a few kilometers from Gerace, Calabria's ever-beautiful sea offers all its charm in the seaside resorts of the so-called Costa dei Gelsomini.
09
Marina di Gioiosa J. and Roccella
Leaving the Grecanica area and entering the Locride area, pushing towards the borders of the province of Reggio Calabria, we find two other places worth visiting: Roccella and Marina di Gioiosa Jonica. Over 10 km of fine sandy beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag for tourist marinas and the 5 Golden Anchors. These two places offer perhaps the most complete tourist experience from a relaxation perspective. Here, the beaches and surrounding towns are fully equipped to welcome tourists, and the large beaches offer several beach clubs, all with bars and restaurants. Roccella is also famous for the many cultural and social events that take place during the summer, one of which is the Roccella Jazz Festival.
10
The ancient village of Stilo
Stilo in Reggio Calabria is a town perched on a river, 400 meters above sea level, believed to have been founded in the 7th century by refugees from a mythical maritime city. Legend has it that, to escape the constant Saracen raids, the inhabitants of a former Greek colony took refuge en masse at the foot of the mountain, creating a city they named "Stilida." They built very high walls around it to make the place impregnable. To monitor access and exit from the town, five large gates were built, which were hermetically locked from the inside at night: Porta Stefanina, Porta Reale, Porta Cacari, Porta Scanza li Gutti, and Porta Terra. Of these, three are no longer standing (Porta Terra, Porta Scanza li Gutti, and Porta Cacari), while Porta Reale stood until less than a century ago, of which only a few traces remain. Porta Stefanina, however, is well preserved. Today, this beautiful city offers tourists a wide range of activities, in addition to guided tours of the area's iconic sites: trekking and excursions for outdoor enthusiasts, tastings and shopping for a relaxed and rejuvenating local experience. Furthermore, several local festivals are held throughout the year, including one dedicated to the patron saint, San Giorgio, and various food and wine fairs.
11
The Catholic Church of Stilo
The Cattolica di Stilo is a small religious building on the slopes of Mount Consolino. This Byzantine-style monument was built by Eastern monks between the 10th and 11th centuries. Restored several times, the exterior of the Cattolica features a rich color and geometric design typical of Eastern churches: it consists of a cube, surmounted by four smaller domes at the corners of the façades and a central dome elevated above them.