The Area Grecanica
An area to discover
This vast geographical area of the province of Reggio Calabria, which develops along the Ionian Sea for over fifty kilometres, owes its name to the presence of ancient communities that for centuries, even after the Latinization desired by the Normans starting from the 11th century. These communities preserved the Greek language, contaminating it with native dialects. With the passage of time, a koinè was born that was unique to the entire world: the Grecanico. There are many stops to make in the discovery of interesting places, including Gallicianò, Roghudi, San Lorenzo, Roccaforte del Greco, Condofuri, Melito di Porto Salvo, Bova Marina, Palizzi, and Africo antico.
The most important municipality, Bova, has appeared among the most beautiful towns in Italy for years.
The Amendolea River, once a navigable river that allowed the inhabitants of the area to climb up to Aspromonte, divides the area into two large areas. Today, in the space between the sea and the mountains, trekking lovers, who can enjoy uncontaminated natural scenery, beat the ancient paths.
Starting from the recovery of the linguistic and cultural heritage, significant experiences in terms of sustainable tourism were born in recent decades.
Also due to the presence of wonderful beaches and uncontaminated sea, the municipalities of the Greek area offer the possibility to discover, in a constant alternation between the coast and the hinterland, a territory characterised by traditions that are thousands of years old: think of the Byzantine culture still present with its religious cults.
Among the many activities, which are organised throughout the year, the Paleariza festival (Ancient roots) has welcomed ethno folk music groups from all over the world for the past thirty years, attracting the attention of fans of the genre.
The Wine Festival of Bova, held in Catoi di Palizzi, starting from the recovery of ancient vineyards, has given life to new wine production houses that bring the territory to life, enhancing it also from an economic point of view.
San Lorenzo: one of the last villages to abandon the Greek language
Of great historical importance, San Lorenzo is a small town of Byzantine origin, characteristic and extremely fascinating, in which Greek was spoken until the first half of the 18th century. Added to this are the hamlets of Chorio, San Pantaleone and San Lorenzo Marina, a village that over time has [...]
Staiti: the beauty of being small
Staiti is a small town with just 221 residents, located in the lower Jonio area of Reggio in the extreme southern border of the Aspromonte National Park. The village is perched on the side of Rocca Giambatore, a hill that opens up with a view of the wide valley of the Bruzzano stream. The first hist [...]