The Metropolitan Area of Reggio Calabria, set between the two coastal fronts of the lower Ionian Sea on side, and the Tyrrhenian Sea on the other, has 97 municipalities: villages of great interest for both their historical and architectural features, and the wonderful landscapes that characterise them. It is an area at the centre of the Mediterranean whose history, not surprisingly, is strongly influenced by the different cultures of the people who have passed through here. In the heart of the metropolitan area of Reggio Calabria, between the approximately 220 kilometres of coastline that extends from Rosarno to Punta Stilo (Monasterace), lies the imposing Aspromonte massif that almost seems to retain the three main sides: the eastern Ionian south characterised by low coasts, and the southwestern and northwestern Tyrrhenian Sea, characterised by high frontal coasts. The territory, which hosts about 30% of the regional population with just under 60,000 inhabitants, presents profound contrasts to the landscape: sea and mountains together, key factors of the territory around which history, culture, and traditions are intertwined. Particularly rich is the naturalistic context that boasts a great variety of ecosystems and typical Mediterranean landscapes. It is a heritage that boasts examples such as the Costa Viola, the Riviera dei gelsomini, the Valley of Torbido, and the Valley of the Stilaro. On the Tyrrhenian side, the Piana di Gioia Tauro, is known for its port that ranks among the first places in the Mediterranean and in Italy for traffic intensity. The Ionian side responds with Locride, a typically rural area where traditional crops flourish and the Grecanica area (or Bovesia), located in the heart of the Amendolea valley. It is place with ancient roots in which some towns (specifically Bova, Gallicianò, Roghudi, and Roccaforte del Greco) pass on and still protect the use and knowledge of the Greek language.
Marina di Gioiosa Jonica: the town of the Blue Flag
It is the crystal-clear sea that welcomes visitors to the town of Marina di Gioisa Jonica, 107 kilometres from Reggio Calabria, one of the most characteristic cities of Locride. It is a small gem where you can taste and discover the beauties of the Calabrian agriculture of excellence: oil, sweets, a [...]
Molochio: the ancient garden of the mallows
The name of the place, Molochio, comes from the Greek term “molòkion” and refers to mallows, the flowers that grow next to the fruit trees typical of the Mediterranean scrubland, especially olive and fig trees and chestnuts.
The historical records attest the presence of the village as far back as [...]
Monasterace: the vestiges of an ancient time
Softly nestled between the heights of the Stilaro and Allaro valleys and the crystal clear waters of the Ioanian Sea, the town of Monasterace has been proudly exhibited since ancient times, whose memory has been carved among the stones of the Doric temple of Apollo on the beach, in the motifs of the [...]
Oppido Mamertina and its ancient history
The ancient city of Oppido Mamertina is located on the slopes of Aspromonte, immersed in a forest of luxurious ancient olive trees. Roughly 35% of the territory of Oppido has been declared of significant environmental interest and is included within the perimeter of the Aspromonte National Park. The [...]
Palizzi: where Italy begins
The great cultural and architectural history of Palizzi is combined with the strong flavours of Calabria. The town lies between the mountains of Grappida and Caruso, under the ruins of an imposing castle of which it is its symbol. The town is divided into four hamlets: Palizzi Marina, Palizzi Superi [...]
Palmi, the city of terraces
Built on an ingenious system of terraces that from the side of Mount Sant’Elia gently slope down the Tyrrhenian Sea, Palmi is one of the most vital cities of Costa Viola and the Tyrrhenian Reggino, rich in history and natural beauty. Already inhabited in the Bronze Age, as evidenced by the findings [...]