Calabria Region: general informations in English

[Christian]

Calabria Region

Where it is

Region of southern Italy bordering on the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas, separated from the island of Sicily by a narrow strait.

The land

The territory is prevalently hilly and mountainous, featuring a coastline of some 800 kilometres, with alternating stretches of sandy beaches and steep overhanging cliffs.

Once upon a time...

One of Italy’s richest and most concentrated historical points can be found at Papasidero, a small centre in the province of Cosenza, where a number of interesting and important sites are situated within a short distance. The first is a cavern (Grotta del Romito) dating back to the upper Palaeolithic period, in which an intriguing etching on the rock features a bos primigenius, re-baptised the Toro di Papasidero [Bull of Papasidero] (from 10,800 B.C.). Just a little further off are the ruins of the Suevian castle built between the 11th and 13th centuries, as well as the remains of the boundary walls of the Abbey of San Pietro il Grasso (13th century), and the Medieval village of Avena with its Church of the Holy Trinity.

Sights

When one thinks of Calabria, what immediately comes to mind is its sun, sea and unscathed scenery. From the high peaks of the Aspromonte to the crystalline waters of the Costa degli Dei, passing through the Sila plateau: a precious naturalistic treasure trove encompassing enormous granite stones, woods and artificial lakes in a peaceful setting. A unique and fascinating place, to be visited either during the winter or summer, ideal for simple excursionists or more rigorous sports enthusiasts. The National Park of Aspromonte, for its part, is home to a variety of fauna, including peregrine falcons, eagle owls and Bonelli’s eagles.

For seaside lovers, Calabria is absolutely second to none, with pure white sandy beaches on the Costa Viola and Tropea and the spellbinding settings that can only be found at Praia a Mare, not to mention the clear waters of Gioiosa Jonica and Capo Vaticano, designated, no less, one of the 100 most beautiful beaches on the planet.

One need not be an archaeologist to head off and discover the ancient city of Scolacium (founded on the Greek Skilletion) where, in light of recent findings, visitors can admire the remains of a theatre, forum, and a myriad of fragments of statues, as well as the ruins of the Byzantine-Norman basilica of Santa Maria della Roccella.

Following along this historic trail, don’t miss out on a visit to the National Museum of Reggio Calabria, considered, after Berlin, the most important in the world in terms of finds from Magna Graecia, proudly displaying the sturdy Bronzes of Riace, two splendid examples of bronze sculpture dating back to the 5th century B.C., discovered in 1972 in the Ionian Sea. The sea also serves as a setting for commemorating one of the region’s most important historic moments: at Melito di Porto Salvo (renowned for its production of bergamot), a stone on the waterfront recalls the two landings of Garibaldi during the Spedizione dei Mille [expedition of a thousand during the Italian Risorgimento].

Famous figures

For centuries, Calabria has given birth to historic figures capable, through their ingenuity and creativity, of conquering consensus in every part of the world. It is no accident, then, that the list of personalities hailing from these parts includes the likes of fashion designer Gianni Versace, composer Francesco Cilea and Rino “Ringhio” Gattuso, one of the stars of Italy’s national side at the world football championships in Germany (July 2006), not to mention the poet, theologian and philosopher Tommaso Campanella and the painter Mattia Preti.

Food and drink

Tourists seeking a jolt - even at the table – will have come to the right place in Calabria. A hypothetical tour of the flavours of the table in this region might begin with a bruschetta [slice of toasted bread] seasoned with n’duja (very spicy salame spread onto it) or sardella (newborn sardines and anchovies seasoned with hot chilly peppers, re-baptised the “poor man’s caviar”).

It comes as no surprise that pork meat also features prominently in the region’s cuisine: with a variety of sausages (either plain or spicy), soppressata (lean pressed pork heavily seasoned with salt and pepper), capicollo and pancetta affumicata (smoked pork belly). More elaborate recipes include the soffritto alla crotonese (pork innards, onions and spicy chilly peppers) and the maccarruni ‘i casa (homemade pasta made with the aid of a cane, covered in a pork flavoured tomato sauce and dusted with dry salted ricotta cheese).

Among the more notable first courses are the friscatuli (broccoli, lard and polenta cornmeal) and oven-baked Cosentine pasta with potatoes, while second courses include swordfish (in all manners of preparation) and the red onion omelette of Tropea (a regional pride, along with peperoncino, citrus fruit and liquorice).

All this fine spicy food is liberally doused ad hoc with excellent extra virgin olive oils and rinsed down with special wines such as red or rosé Cirò, Pollino and Savuto.

Finally, the sweets: from chinulilli (small dumplings filled with honey, mustard and walnuts) to crucitti (tiny cross-shaped sweets made with white figs and almonds, then oven-baked), and cannariculi (concocted from flour, wine, and a cooked must concentrate).

Room with a view

More than just hotels, B&Bs and tourist villages. A holiday in Calabria can also offer some original and enticing alternatives. For instance, lodging can be found in one of many available typical fisherman’s houses, lapped by the waves, and dotting the ancient villages along the coast, as in Chianalea di Scilla: a truly unique location which appears to emerge from out of the water (thereby earning the title of Venice of the south), enthralling even the likes of Renato Guttuso and Gianni Versace.

Find out more

• www.turismo.regione.calabria.it

Contact

A.P.T. Azienda di Promozione Turistica Via Spasari Francesco, 3 88100 Catanzaro CZ
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E-Mail: [e-mail]

[Christian]

Thanks Caterina!
Sorry for the delay in replying your message!
I hope you are still visiting our website and of course still choosing Calabria for your holidays in Italy.

[Caterina Cavalieri]

Hi Christian,

I stumbled upon your site in hopes of finding great fares to Lamezia. My family lives there and my parents are celebrating 50 years in August. Calabria is definitely beautiful and have visited about 10 times in the last 20+ years. The pics you have posted are breathtaking and am very excited to have found a site like yours to celebrate how beautiful Calabria truly is. Thanks