Calabria Italy how to get there. Regions of Italy. Region of Calabria. Coast of the Gods or Costa degli Dei

Calabria- the southernmost region of Italy, the "toe" of the Italian boot. From the west it is washed by the Tyrrhenian, from the east - by the Ionian Sea. A narrow strait separates Calabria and the island of Sicily located to the southwest of it. It was here, in the Strait of Messina, that ancient monsters lived - Scylla and Charybdis. Now Scylla is a small, very beautiful town in Calabria (Scilla, Scilla) with an ancient fortress on a rock.

The industry in the region is underdeveloped, mainly engaged in agriculture, so Calabria is distinguished by almost untouched nature, and very clean, transparent sea amazing blue-green color. Warm climate, beautiful iridescent colors of sea water, alternation of sandy beaches and rocky shores, clean and unpolluted nature, rich and natural taste of local cuisine and numerous historical and cultural monuments - all this awaits you in Calabria.

Until recently, tourists traveled to South Calabria mainly in search of untouched nature, mountains and sea. But in the 1980s, on the coast of the Riace, fishermen discovered two bronze statues believed to be slaves dating back to the Hellenic period. The news of the discovery quickly spread, and a stream of tourists began to visit the National Greek Museum in Reggio di Calabria to admire the wonderful "Bronzi di Riace" and, as a result, the historical significance of the region finally became known throughout the world, as well as its natural beauties. .

Calabria's 800 kilometers of coastline offer a wide range of stunning beaches, including Capo Vaticano in the province of Vibo Valentia, considered one of the 100 most beautiful beaches in the world: a wide white sand beach surrounded by ancient trees and washed by crystal clear waters. You can choose from many charming towns along the Tyrrhenian and Ionian coasts.

The stretch of coast between Pizzo Calabro and Nicotera is called Costa degli Dei - translated means "Coast of the Gods". Kilometers of bays, capes, white sandy beaches, bordered by rocky shores with medieval castles and clear azure sea.

The main cities, resorts and beaches of Calabria - the province of Vibo Valentia:

Tropea

Tropea is not Big city ok, standing on a rock of tuff directly above the sea. It is considered one of the pearls of the Tyrrhenian coast of Calabria. A long time ago the city was founded by the Greeks.

The historical center of Tropea consists of buildings from the 17th-18th centuries, but according to some sources, at that time they were only restored, and their real age is even older. Old houses, beautiful churches, narrow streets and steep stairs descending directly to the sea and the white sand beach... There are many cafes, restaurants, pizzerias, confectioneries, as well as souvenir shops and shops on the streets and squares of the city, there is even a small outlet. You can walk around the entire old part of the city in a couple of hours.

The observation deck offers a stunning view of the absolutely unusual color of the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Stromboli volcano and the main attraction of the city located on a rock - the church of Santa Maria del Isola. Another symbol of Tropea and one of the staples of Calabrian cuisine is the red sweet onion. It is sold in all forms - fresh, pickled, etc., as well as a variety of souvenirs with this symbol in any souvenir shop on the coast.

In summer, the city is full of tourists - Tropea is very popular among the Italians and Europeans as an elite seaside resort.

Pizzo Calabro stands on top of a cliff jutting out into the sea. From the observation deck of the city offers a beautiful view of the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Aeolian Islands and the volcano Stromboli. The city originated in the Middle Ages, consists of old houses and narrow streets running down to the sea and connected to the lower part of the city by old stone stairs. In the old part of the city, on the main square, stands the Castello Murat castle (it can be clearly seen in the central photo), built by order of Ferdinand I of Aragon in 1468. In this castle, Napoleonic marshal Joachim Murat was convicted and shot for treason in October 1815. Now the castle houses a museum.

Another attraction worth visiting is the small church La Chiesa di Piedigrotta, built in a grotto by sailors who escaped a shipwreck. In the 17th century, a sailboat with a crew from Naples with cargo on board returned home to the port. A strong storm broke out, the sailboat was overloaded ... The skipper, in whose cabin there was an icon of the Madonna di Piedigrotta, together with the crew swore to the Virgin in case of salvation, to build a chapel. The sailboat was wrecked, the cargo was gone, but the crew, led by the skipper, managed to get ashore. The church is active, the entrance for tourists is paid.

Center Pizzo - Republic Square (La Piazza Repubblica, in the central photo to the right of the castle), there are numerous restaurants, bars and ice cream parlors, each of which serves delicious ice cream Tartuffo di Pizzo (Tartuffo di Pizzo).

This famous local ice cream was invented in 1943 to honor the visit of Prince Umberto I of Savoy. Ice cream got its name because of the resemblance to truffles. Each cafe in the city prepares Tartuffo according to its own special recipe, passed down from generation to generation. Irregular hemispherical creamy ice cream with hazelnuts and chocolate, melted chocolate core, sprinkled with cocoa powder. When preparing ice cream, only natural ingredients are taken, without the use of hydrogenated vegetable fats, milk powder, preservatives and dyes.

A small town with a population of 6,778 inhabitants, Nicotera is located 70 km south of Lamezia Terme Airport, on Tyrrhenian coast Calabria (36 km from Pizzo, 30 km from Tropea). The historical part of the city is located on a rocky cliff, mainly buildings of the 17th-18th centuries, old houses, narrow steep streets. Below on the shore is the modern Nicotera Marina with wide sandy beaches, campsites, hotels and villas.

What to see - Castello dei Ruffo (Castello dei Ruffo, XVII century), which is famous for its library, now it houses the city's archaeological museum.

resort in the province of Vibo Valentia with a population of 4,106 people, located at the mouth of the Murri River, between the port of Zambrone and the port of Vibo Marina, on the coast of Costa degli Dei of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Briatico was founded, according to legend, by the ancient Italians during their migration to Hipponion. The first records and documents date back to the 12th century, when Roger Norman proclaimed the founding of the diocese of Miletus, and announced the name small town Euriatikon (currently Briatico).

Attractions:

The old center of Briatico, located on a hill, on the right bank of the Murri River, was destroyed by an earthquake in 1783. Now only ruins remain medieval castle, ruins of a village and traces of two of the five Saracen towers: the Rocchetta and the tower of Saint Irene, built during the Spanish viceroyalty;
- Remains from prehistoric times that prove the existence of a settlement dating back to the Copper Age, a Roman necropolis and a building complex (probably thermal baths).

It is a small town-village 9 km from Vibo Valentia, located on a hillside in the shade of olive trees with a beautiful view of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Stromboli volcano. Quiet and peaceful place where you can feel rural charm old Italy. On the beach are offered various entertainment (sailing, diving, boating, excursions to the Stromboli volcano, etc.), and in the vicinity there are many restaurants with traditional Calabrian cuisine.

Playing the role of a kind of "sock" of the Apennine boot, stretching between the Ionian and Tyrrhenian seas. In the southwestern part, the region is separated from Sicily by the Strait of Messina. The terrain is extremely rich and varied. Massive rocky shores, replete with dense forests, alternate here with picturesque green hills and vineyards, while fertile plains are combined with meandering rivers and deep lakes.

Peculiarities

Calabria is divided into 5 provinces, of which 3 have the status of historical, and 2 modern. The former include Reggio Calabria, Cosenza and Catanzaro, while the latter include Crotone and Vibo Valentia. Each of the provinces has its own administrative center and has many cities, among which there are both quite major metropolitan areas, and sparsely populated communes with a minimum number of inhabitants. The main areas of activity in the region are agriculture, winemaking, fishing and tourism. Also, the chemical industry is well developed. The executive power is represented by the regional government, which includes several dozen people. Interestingly, in terms of the degree of corruption of the authorities, Calabria is often compared with Sicily, which is considered the cradle of the Italian mafia. The local resorts are very popular with beach lovers, and the most beautiful natural landscapes and tourist trails laid through rocky mountain ranges invariably attract the attention of fans of ascents and extreme travelers. In addition, the region has a fairly well-developed infrastructure and well-established transport links, thanks to which the residents and guests of Calabria can feel absolutely comfortable both during their holidays and doing daily business.

general information

The territory of the region covers an area of ​​just over 15,000 square meters. km, with a population of about 2 million people, which is one of the smallest indicators in the country. At the same time, the number of communes is quite impressive - 409. Local time behind Moscow by 1 hour in summer and 2 in winter. Time zone UTC+1 and UTC+2 in summer time of the year. Official website www.regione.calabria.it.

A brief excursion into history

Initially, the lands of the region were inhabited by the tribes of Osks and Samnites, and from about the 8th century BC, the ancient Greeks settled here, who founded such cities as Sybaris and Crotone. With the arrival of the Romans, the area fell into decay, and after the fall of the Empire, it became often subject to pirate raids. In the Middle Ages, this territory was repeatedly conquered by various nationalities, including the Normans and Vikings. In the XI century, Calabria became part of the formed Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, and a little later became part of the Angevin dynasty. From the 15th to the 19th centuries, the area was repeatedly attacked by the Turks and Berbers. Having become part of the Italian kingdom, the region was in economic decline for a long time, but the general rise of the country's agricultural economy closer to the middle of the 20th century allowed the region to firmly embark on the path of effective economic development, thanks to which the infrastructure has improved here, and subsequently the general standard of living as a whole has risen significantly.

Climate

Climatic conditions in Calabria have a clear geographical division. The Tyrrhenian coast is dominated by mild mediterranean climate with cool winters and hot summers. Wherein average temperature air from June to September is about +28 - +30 degrees. For Ionian coasts characterized by a longer beach season, starting in late April - early May and ending in October, as well as a higher average air temperature throughout the year. As for precipitation, they fall between November and March, and then in small quantities. In the mountainous regions of the region, it is noticeably cooler than on the coast, and in the highlands from December to February, snow regularly falls, often accompanied by low temperatures.

How to get there

There are 2 located in Calabria major airports, accepting flights from different points of Italy, including from Rome, Milan, Florence and Bergamo. They are found in Lamezia Terme and Reggio di Calabria.

Transport

All regional districts are interconnected by bus and rail links. The roads are of good quality, and you can rent a car or use taxi services here in almost any locality. Within the city limits, as public transport buses and minibuses are used. In addition, bicycles are in easy access mode. There are ferry service between coastal cities.

Major cities

The capital of Calabria is Catanzaro, known for its Ponte Sulla Fiumarella viaduct bridge, excellent conditions for a beach holiday, unique architectural landmarks, various museums and a well-established entertainment industry. Other major cities in the region include Cosenza, Crotone, Reggio Calabria and Vibo Valentia. Each of them has its own merits and characteristics, while Reggio di Calabria stands alone in this list, considered the cultural and historical center of the region. Having been born about 3000 years ago, the city still retains the charm of bygone eras, and some unique architectural buildings have survived here, despite the devastating earthquakes and cataclysms that have haunted it for all the years of its existence.

Main resorts

The coastal cities of the region are washed by two seas at once. If Calabria is replete with cozy coves hidden among the rocks and a rocky bottom, then the beaches are mostly sandy and quite long. The main resorts of the region are Tropea, Soverato and Scalea. Also, Praia a Mare, Cirella, Cetraro, Fuscaldo and Diamante are quite famous. At the same time, Tropea has a reputation as the most popular tourist center on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea, belonging to the territory of Italy. The resort offers its guests not only well-groomed sandy beaches, regularly marked with the Blue Flag, but also an extensive excursion and entertainment program for every taste. The Ionian coast of Calabria is famous for such resorts as Montegiordano Marina, Rocca Imperiale, Marina di Roseto, Borgata Marina, Marina di Amendolara and Trebisacce. Another advantage of the local tourist centers is the rich underwater world, thanks to which thousands of divers come to Calabria every year to dive into the azure sea waters, enjoy being among exotic residents underwater world and see numerous wrecks of ancient ships that sank off these coasts in different years.

Attractions

The main historical and cultural sites of Calabria are concentrated in such cities and resorts as Cosenza, Reggio di Calabria, the capital Catanzaro, Vibo Valentia, the legendary Tropea and ancient Crotone, where Pythagoras founded his religious and philosophical school. Among the prominent historical and cultural monuments located in these cities, the Bridge of the Martyrs and the medieval Avenue Telesio, replete with ancient buildings, in Cosenza - the Aragonese castle and the famous Matteotti embankment, in Reggio di Calabria - the church of Monte dei Morti and numerous museums in Catanzaro, as well as ancient temples and monasteries of Tropea. These are just some of the hundreds of unique sights that are found in the lands of Calabria. Meanwhile, in the local provinces there are many small towns that have also preserved fragments of the rich cultural heritage of the region and are of great importance for the whole of Italy.

Kitchen

The culinary traditions of the area are mostly based on agriculture and fishing. It is widely used here meat dishes, including pork, lamb and goat meat, as well as significant attention is paid to fish and vegetables. Among the most famous culinary creations, it is worth noting sablefish rolls in tomato sauce called "Pesce spada alla ghiotta", fried potato slices with pepper and eggplant - "Patate ccu pipe e mulinciane", aromatic herbs "Minestra e fasuli", fried in oil anchovies "Alici fritte", pasta dish "Pasta mbiancu e baccala" and cod boiled in tomato sauce - "Baccala e patate vullute". Among the desserts stand out Christmas cake with eggs - "Cuzzupa" and a similar product only with a different filling - "Bucchinotti". As drinks, there is an extremely wide selection of all kinds of wines.

shopping

In shops, shopping malls and souvenir shops of even the smallest towns, there is always an impressive range of goods, from Italian shoes to jewelry made of precious stones.

Calabria is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southern Italy. The region has a lot of advantages and a whole scattering of interesting sights, annually receiving thousands of tourists who come here from all over the world to appreciate the beauty of these places and enjoy their holidays in one of the brightest and sunniest regions of the country.

On South peninsula, on the very toe of the Italian "boot" was attached italian region with the capital Catanzaro (Catanzaro), washed by two seas - the Ionian in the east and the Mediterranean (Tyrrhenian) in the west. Calabria consists of five provinces, with a population of almost two million people. A little southwest beyond the Strait of Messina lies the famous Sicily. Italians love to come here to take a break from the hustle and bustle, enjoy the sea air and the beautiful, crystal blue sea.

Benefits of a holiday in Calabria

In the south of Italy, especially in Calabria, you can see Italy for what it really is. The fact is that this part of the country has never developed at the same pace as other parts of Italy and even Europe. And this state of affairs has its advantages. First, economic: in southern Italy the best housing prices in terms of price-location-quality. Due to the slow pace of development, most beaches of Calabria not yet damaged or built up. The lack of mass development helps to find housing a stone's throw from the sea at good prices.

beach holiday is just beginning to develop actively, there are not so many tourists, the sea is still perfectly clean, so you should definitely take the opportunity to relax here.
Another advantage of the region is the quality of life. There is no so-called “micro-crime” in Calabria. This is one of the few regions where you can not lock the doors of houses at all. Young people can safely walk the streets of cities at any time. Unfortunately, most European cities cannot boast of this.

The beaches of Calabria

Since the sea surrounds the region on almost all sides, beaches are in abundance here. IN Reggio Calabria is located more than .

Tourist season in Calabria lasts from early June to early September. The weather is moderately warm all year round, and hot in summer. From the beginning of June, the water temperature warms up from +20°C to +25°C, in July it is already +25…+26°C, in August it sometimes reaches +28°C. The hottest months in Calabria are July and August, the same months are the high season.

The best beaches of Calabria stretch along the coast between the towns Tropea And Capo Vaticano.

Coast of the Gods or Costa degli Dei

Here, in the Tyrrhenian Sea, the smallest mountain range of Calabria protrudes, abruptly breaking off and picturesquely hanging over the blue water. Capo Vaticano(Capo-Vaticano). The beach (Grotticelle) is deservedly considered one of the most beautiful on the Coast of the Gods - a long coastal line for every taste: small pebbles, sand and stones closer to the rocks. You can pay for a sunbed with an umbrella or sunbathe on your own towel - there is enough space for everyone.

Of course it is beautiful, but quite crowded. But there is an opportunity from Grotticelli beach to get to secluded, secluded coves with clear water and white sand. Just take a catamaran for 1.5 - 2 hours and enjoy the magnificent views of the coast and swimming in the clear azure water.

In the evening, many holidaymakers in Capo Vaticano go to the lighthouse to enjoy the peaceful sunset. This place offers a beautiful panoramic view of the coast, the Aeolian Islands, Grotticelle beach, Scoglio Mantineo cliff. The setting sun sinks into the sea just behind the island of Stromboli.

There are guided tours from Capo Vaticano several times a week. Eolian Islands (Isole Eolie). The tour of the islands of Stromboli-Panarea-Lipari-Vulcano lasts all day, there is even night tour to the volcano. We recommend a trip, because these islands are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the Stromboli volcano is still active.

Tropea

Tropea- one of the most beautiful cities Calabria, often called the pearl of the Tyrrhenian coast.

Its history began during the period of the Roman Republic. They say that the battle between Pompey and Octavian took place just along this coast. Octavian Augustus liked the picturesque and convenient harbor, and he built a trading port here.

But according to other legends, the founder of the cities was Hercules. Returning from Spain, he stopped on the coast of the Gods, and so Tropea appeared - one of the ports of Hercules.

Here, life is always in full swing: people sit in cafes and restaurants, go shopping, swim on city beaches, excursion ships sail from the seaport to the Aeolian Islands.

In the Old Town, on Piazza Ercole, there is a Tourist Information Center, where you can get a map of the city, free booklets and use wi-fi.

Scalea

Another great option for a beach holiday on the Tyrrhenian coast is the city Scalea(Scalea) - 8 km wide beach strip. The water on the Ionian coast is, of course, warmer than on the Tyrrhenian, but in summer this does not matter much.

Amantea (Amantea)

And if you decide to spend your holidays here in high season, it is advisable to take care of housing in advance, as there are more vacationers here than in other parts of Calabria. But if the beaches, on which the apple has nowhere to fall, annoy you, to put it mildly, then go south, closer to the capital, to the town (Amantea). There are much fewer tourists and the local beaches are great for families with small children.

Soverato

If you prefer the coast of the Ionian Sea, where there is much less rainfall and cloudy days, then pay attention to the beaches of the town (Soverato). Picturesque rocks, in some places close to the water, the smallest White sand and good infrastructure - there is everything you need for a great holiday. Moreover, it is possible to get here by bus directly from the airport.

Transport Calabria

There are three airports in Calabria:

• Aeroporto di Lamezia Terme– Central airport in the city of Lamezia Terme, 20 km from the capital of the region, Catanzaro. There are flights from major cities in Italy, as well as from France, Germany, Great Britain.
• Aeroporto dello Stretto– the airport is 5 km from Reggio di Calabria. It only serves domestic flights, including those that link the mainland with Sicily.
• Aeroporto di Santa Anna- the airport in the city of Crotone, provides seasonal transportation to Rome and Milan.

The nearest airport outside the region is in Naples. The distance to the center of Calabria is significant, but if necessary, you can get here by train: the journey will take from 4 hours with one change, and the ticket will cost at least 41 euros.

Ferry service is also well developed in Calabria. Main ports:

• Reggio di Calabria (Reggio di Calabria),
• Vibo Marina
• Sibari is located in the north of the region, on the Ionian coast.

There are also several small ports serving mainly summer tourist routes.

Tourists without a car move between cities by train. The trains are small, only 2 cars
The main railway junction is the city Reggio Calabria(Reggio di Calabria), from which two branches leave - one along the west coast, towards Naples, the second along east coast to Taranto in Apulia.

Some parts of the region can only be reached by car, so for those who like to move around, it is better to consider renting a car upon arrival in Calabria.

The history of Calabria is very, very ancient - according to the rock paintings found, it can be judged that people lived here as early as the 9th millennium BC. And eight thousand years later, Greek colonists came here for a long time, displacing the tribes that lived before them. Then Calabria was successively captured by the French, Aragonese, Spaniards ...

Pyrrhus, Hannibal, Spartak passed through it. And only in 1861 the region became part of the United Italy.

But, despite the difficult history, natural disasters, the region was able to maintain a spirit full of harmony and beauty. Here, as in no other place, features of Byzantine, Albanian, Greek, Spanish and French culture are combined.

But it was the period of Greek colonization that left the most tangible mark on the history of the region. By the way, the word "sybarite" is also "originally" from Calabria - the so-called inhabitants of the city of Sybaris, known for their luxurious living conditions.

So what can you see and visit in Calabria?

In almost every town you can find several remarkable ancient buildings besides, it is interesting just to wander through the streets of small towns that have absorbed the history of two millennia!
A little warning: when going sightseeing, remember to take a siesta - during the day most places are closed to the public!

Aragonese castle in Pizzo, it was built at the beginning of the 11th century by the Normans, but became famous thanks to the tragic fate of Joachim Murat, who was Napoleon's marshal and married to his sister Caroline.
Until now, the walls of the castle are so strong that they remained unscathed during the devastating earthquake of the early 20th century, which destroyed many buildings.

Piedigrotta(Chiesetta di Piedigrotta) is a very peculiar rock-cut church in the town of Pizzo. Church halls, located in the thickness of the rock, contain many statues of saints and whole compositions on religious themes “antique”. Although they were actually made in the 19th-20th centuries, they fit very organically into the gloomy color of the room. A very unusual place.

Pizzo is also famous for its truffle ice cream. tartufo(tartufo).

For the first time ice cream was made in 1943 especially for the visit of Prince Umberto I of Savoy. Tartufo is a small scoop of ice cream with a filling inside. According to the classic recipe, tartufo is made from nut ice cream, then the ball is rolled in cocoa to give a rich dark brown color, and liquid dark chocolate is used as a filling.

There is also Tartuffo based on lemon ice cream with limoncello inside. Now every ice cream parlor in Pizzo(Pizzo) has its own special recipe for Tartuffo, with its own unique taste.

Enjoy a refreshing delicacy, and at the same time enjoy the sights, best of all in the gelateria on the central Republic Square overlooking the Murat castle.

The city promenade of Reggio di Calabria - it is called "the most beautiful kilometer of Italy." The embankment is 2 parallel roads - Corso Matteotti and Via Falcomata, separated by a beautiful botanical garden.

On the waterfront, a red building, built in the 14th century in the Venetian style, attracts attention. This Villa Dzerbi. It still belongs to the descendants of Dzerbi from Genoa. Today Villa Zerbi hosts the main events of the Venice Art Biennale in Southern Italy. In front of the Villa Dzerbi, there are 3 very peculiar modern sculptures, according to some, they represent 3 stages of human development.

And they also say that sometimes you can see an unusual mirage. It appears at certain moments in the Messinian Gulf, and you can only see it from the side of Reggio di Calabria.

Pentedattilo(Pentedattilo) is a ghost town. 40 km from Reggio di Calabria is the oldest settlement in the region, which existed for more than two thousand years, but was abandoned by the inhabitants two centuries ago due to a devastating earthquake.

And in the twentieth century, a group of European enthusiasts began to restore the abandoned city. Nobody still lives here, but the city is waiting for tourists - a museum and a restaurant, craft shops and a shop are open.
There is a town nearby Melita di Porta Salvo(Melito di Porto Salvo), where you can stay if you decide to stay longer in this place.

Ruffo Castle(Castello Ruffo) - in the town of Scilla. The ancient building of the XIII century used to house the residence of the rulers of Calabria, now there is a museum, which you can get inside for only 1.5 euros.

City of Gerace(Gerace) is known to everyone as the city of 100 churches, but in reality there are only 20 of them left.

There are many interesting places here:

• Church of Ottimati or Santa Maria Annunziata (Ottimati, Santa Maria Annunziata)
  – the church was built in the Byzantine-Arabic style in the 10th century, during the time of the Saracens. It is worth paying attention to the mosaic floor, lined with Byzantine mosaics.
• Madonna del Carmelo- a church in the middle of a chestnut forest at the very top of the Monte Poro mountain plateau, towering at an altitude of 711 m above sea level. Locals near the church sell fresh homemade products at prices well below those in the supermarket.
• Grotto of the Madonna(Grotta delle Fonti) - in the village of Spilinga - very a nice place with lush vegetation. In the grotto there is a statue of the Madonna (Madonna della Fontana), next to a very picturesque pond. A path leads up, decorated with bas-reliefs on biblical themes.
  By the way, the famous Calabrian sausage, nduja di Spilinga, is produced in Spilinga.

Also in many towns preserved ancient castles and cathedrals that have already celebrated their millennium. In one of these cathedrals in the city Cosenza(Cosenza) an ancient relic is kept: a wooden crucifix of the 15th century, installed in memory of Isabella of Aragon, the wife of King Philip III of France, who died here, returning with her husband from another crusade.

Cathedral of the 11th century Maria Santissima Assunta in Cielo is the largest church in Calabria. Inside the cathedral are the sarcophagi of local bishops of the 5th-6th centuries. Particular attention should be paid to works of art: two fonts of the Concesso Barca, a marble altar with bronze bas-reliefs by Antonio Berti, paintings from the 19th century and a medallion by Francesco Gerace. Near the square in front of the cathedral, there is a staircase that will lead you to the statue of the first bishop, Stefano di Nicea, and the apostle Paul.

City of Vibo Valentia

City of Vibo Valentia(Vibo Valentia) - “famous” brought by the Ndrangheta, an organized crime group that arose here at the end of the 19th century, is less famous than the Sicilian Cosa Nostra or Camorra, but more powerful (with an annual income of 35-40 billion euros, which is equal to 3.5% of Italian GDP). They say that the 'Ndrangheta has long ceased to be a local group and has reached the level of international criminal corporations.

However, tourists should not worry about this - the interests of the organization affect completely different areas of life.

In addition to the “mafia” history, there are many churches, old villas, and parks in the Old City. Many tourists also come to Vibo Valentia for shopping.

Another interesting place in the province of Vibo Valentia, the Abbey of Serra San Bruno. There is a functioning monastery here, and the mountainous terrain and deciduous forests surrounding the abbey create a special healing microclimate.

Santa Maria dell'Isola - a very impressive sight - on the seashore in the city of Tropea (Tropea), on top of a hill surrounded by sandy beaches, rises a snow-white church, to which a staircase carved into the rock leads. According to legend, it was built by sailors, wrecked off the coast of Calabria and saved thanks to the statue of St. Mary, which was later installed in the temple. Unfortunately, the entrance to the church is prohibited, but you can enjoy the beautiful views to your heart's content, including from a specially equipped observation deck.

Festivals in Calabria

In addition to historical sights, more fun (and delicious) entertainment awaits you. During the year, several large and very original festivals take place in Calabria:

• V May there is a strawberry festival;
• at first July- festival of swordfish, the main idea of ​​which is the revival of one of the oldest traditions on earth: hunting for fish - a sword. It was not by chance that this particular time was chosen - - in early July, swordfish rushes to search for a breeding partner. As a rule, these fish live in the calm waters of the Strait of Messina.
• V august in Reggio di Calabria, the STOCCO Festival is held - a tasting of fresh or dried cod cooked in various ways according to traditional recipes. The history of the holiday is rooted in the distant past.

The story began in the 16th century, when Calabria was part of the Kingdom of Naples, dried cod arrived at the port of Naples from Norway, then on small boats the fish was transported to the south of Italy to the town of Pizzo, where the dried cod was subjected to a special treatment, as a result of which it became very tender and soft, ready to use in various dishes. Over time, dried cod has become one of the traditional dishes region, and in honor of her annually on August 9, a gastronomic festival is held.

• August 23 every year in Reggio di Calabria celebrate Cavalluccio - a festival of Calabrian dance, dedicated to the patron saint of the castle of St. Anthony.
• at the end October- The Mushroom Festival is held in Reggio di Calabria.
• V September- Peperoncino Festival in honor of the red Calabrian pepper, and many other exciting entertainments.

There are also festivals of bread, wine, sausage, red onion; carnivals and religious processions; fir festival and dance of freedom and much, much more.

Each significant holiday has its own menu, with a clearly defined number of dishes and strict observance of all the rules for their preparation. There are many ancient traditions which have remained unchanged for many centuries.

So if you decide to go to Calabria, then you certainly won’t be bored!

Plunge headlong into centuries of history, wander through the hills and parks with rich flora and fauna, get to know the picturesque mountain villages and learn about the traditions of the local population, enjoy the silence of the wild mountains and swim in the emerald sea. All this is Calabria, leaving an ambiguous impression about itself. This region, little explored by tourists, attracts some and scares at the same time. He impresses others with hospitality and cordiality. local residents which are not as simple, in fact, as they seem. Still others openly admire natural beauties, completely unaware of any inconvenience. Undoubtedly, there are oddities here, especially in small towns. Too complex history managed to leave its mark on the explosive nature of the Calabrians and traditional family foundations, strictly observed from generation to generation. But in order to understand Calabria, you must certainly fall in love with it, and without any pretensions. And then she will reciprocate, revealing all her secrets.

• Saint Francis of Paola (1416-1507) was born in Calabria and founded the mendicant order of Minims. He is considered the patron of the city of Paola, all of Calabria and the Italian fleet.
• Calabrian cuisine is considered the most "spicy" in Italy. No wonder its symbol is a red bitter pepper! Its clusters can be found everywhere.
• The Isthmus of Catanzaro (Istmo di Catanzaro or istmo di Marcellinara) is the narrowest point of the Apennine Peninsula - the width is no more than 30 km. Once in the middle, you can see two seas at once - the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian.
• In order to avoid unpleasant situations, it should be borne in mind that the mentality of the Calabrians is too different from the views on the life of Italians living in the northern and central regions of Italy.
• The transport infrastructure of Calabria leaves much to be desired, therefore independent travelers it is recommended to rent a car. Railroad tracks are laid along sea ​​coasts.
• Majority settlements Calabria are built on high hills and sheer cliffs. Only 5-7% of the total number of cities and villages are located on flat terrain.

Calabria: a bit of history

According to scientists, the name of the region was given by the Greeks, back in the 8th century BC. colonized the territories not only of the current Calabria, but also of Basilicata. They ruthlessly pressed the local tribes of the Samnites, Osks and neighboring Lukuns, leaving them no hope of revenge. The Greeks called the conquered region "Kalon-Brion", which meant fertile lands. It is this phrase that is said to have formed the basis modern name region of Calabria.

The Greeks built several large cities on the conquered lands, but in the 3rd century BC. the Romans came here. The new owners didn't do much southern provinces, except for the collection of taxes, so Calabria quickly fell into decay. This was facilitated by the predatory raids of pirates from the sea, and constant outbreaks of malaria.

With the advent of the Normans to the lands of Calabria in the 11-12th century, the situation improved slightly. Soon the territory became part of the Kingdom of Sicily, and after its partition, it was under the rule of the Kingdom of Naples, which again aggravated the situation in the region. During the process of unification of Italy at the end of the 19th century, the region became a separate administrative unit of the Kingdom of Italy.

Sights of Calabria

property southern region are its beaches with incredibly clear water and bewitching, unforgettable natural landscapes. No less interesting are the medieval Borg stuck on the rocks, the majestic Byzantine and formidable Norman castles, archaeological zones, park reserves Calabria, architectural and sculptural masterpieces, historical values ​​that can be found almost everywhere. There are also wonderful basilicas and interesting museums, mausoleums and monasteries, fountains and original bridges.

When to go to Calabria

Calabria weather

Sunbathing on the shores of the Gulf of Tarentum, scuba diving and sea fishing is possible from early spring to late autumn. It is cooler on the Tyrrhenian coast, so it would be wiser to count on a beach holiday in the Lemon Riviera in the summer. For lovers of skiing in Calabria there are bases, and even at peak winter holidays they don't overcrowd to the point of being uncomfortable, which is quite common in the Alps. In the off-season, the region offers mountain and hiking, visiting historical monuments and attractions, picturesque towns and reserves.

As in any other region of Italy, religious holidays dedicated to the patrons of cities and costumed processions are popular in Calabria. Francis of Paola, the only saint who was born in Calabria and is the patron saint of the region, is honored in late March-early April and in early May. These days they organize sea and foot processions, concerts and shows. In July, starting from 2007, the most beautiful fireworks festival "Note di Fuoco" is held on the Belvedere Marittimo embankment for 3-6 days, where the best pyrotechnicians of the world show their art to the music. And that's not counting the culinary and craft festivals.

Calabria on the map of Italy

The region occupies the toe of an elegant Italian boot and is the most southern region mainland Italy. The western coast of Calabria is washed by the Tyrrhenian Sea, and the southeast by the Ionian Sea. In the north, the region borders on Basilicata, and through the Strait of Messina it communicates with Sicily. capital and administrative center the province of the same name is Catanzaro. Calabria unites five provinces, three of which belong to historical zones. The relief of the territory is mountain ranges from the very high point at about 2.3 km above sea level and hilly terrain. The coastline stretches for almost 800 km.

How to get to Calabria

There are two airports in the region. International - Lamezia Terme - located 40 km from Catanzaro. Another airport is located in Reggio di Calabria. It serves flights of national importance. The region can be reached from neighboring areas and Rome by buses and trains. It should be borne in mind that the railway tracks are laid along the coast, so getting to the Ionian Sea, for example from Naples, will be easier and faster by bus. In Calabria, there are also several seaports.

The Calabria region is located in the southern part of the Apennine Peninsula: it forms the toe of the Italian "boot". Almost two million people live here. Calabria consists of five provinces, the capital is Catanzaro. The region is located between two seas: the Ionian in the east and the Mediterranean (Tyrrhenian) in the west. Southwest of Calabria is an island (Sicilia); they are separated by the Strait of Messina (Stretto di Messina), its width at its narrowest point is only 3.1 km.

The relief of Calabria is dominated by small hills. The climate is dry and hot. Here good conditions for growing fruits and vegetables, as well as for winemaking.

Calabria is perhaps the only region of Italy, in which there are few historical monuments. This is due to its location: pirates often visited here, destroying and robbing settlements, so it was unprofitable to invest heavily in the development of this part of the peninsula. For the same reason, the local nature has felt the harmful influence of developed industry to a much lesser extent than other parts of the country. For a long time there were no big cities; even Catanzaro has less than 100,000 inhabitants. Therefore, Italians love to come to Calabria to take a break from the hustle and bustle.

The 'Ndrangheta brought the region notoriety. This is the name of an organized criminal group that arose here at the end of the 19th century. She is less well known than or the Camorra, but vastly superior in power. According to some estimates, the organization's annual income is 35-40 billion euros, which is equal to 3.5% of Italy's GDP. The strategy of the leaders of the organization, who refrain from open confrontation with the authorities and carefully hide their activities, made it possible to achieve such indicators and remain in the shadows for a long time. According to some estimates, the 'Ndrangheta has long ceased to be a group of local importance and has reached the level of international criminal corporations. However, this does not affect tourists coming to Calabria in any way - the interests of the organization lie in completely different areas.

History and culture

Rock paintings found on the territory of Calabria indicate that ancient people lived here as early as the 9th millennium BC. Eight thousand years later, Greek colonists came here, displacing the tribes that lived before them. The city of Reggio di Calabria, the center of the province of the same name, the first in terms of the number of inhabitants in the region, was founded in 744 BC. The name of the area, "fertile land", was also given by the Greeks. Another Greek word, "sybarite", also "comes" from Calabria - the so-called inhabitants of the city of Sybaris, known for luxurious living conditions.

Despite its remote location, Calabria now and then found itself in the path of the next conquerors or their opponents. Pyrrhus, Hannibal, passed through it. In 410, it was captured by the Visigoths, led by the first king Alaric. Here he died and was buried near the modern city of Cosenza. In the 11th century, the region was divided into two parts, the Latin north and the Greek south. Calabria was successively captured by the French, Aragonese, Spaniards ...

The region became part of the united Italy in 1861. This had a detrimental effect on the economy of the region, already underdeveloped. Due to increased competition, many enterprises closed, a significant part of the population emigrated to the United States.

The period of Greek colonization left a deep mark on the culture of Calabria, including having a significant impact on its cuisine. There are many ancient traditions that have been preserved unchanged for centuries. For example, each significant holiday has its own menu, with a certain number of dishes and their content. During the year, several major festivals are held here, related to the culinary habits of local residents. So, in May, a strawberry festival is held here, and at the end of July, a swordfish festival, during which you can take part in spearfishing.

Of the alcoholic drinks, lemon liqueurs, cedro (Cedro) and (Limoncello) are especially popular here. They are served very cold, in frosty bottles.

Attractions

As mentioned above, there are not many places in Calabria that are rich architectural masterpieces or valuable historical monuments. Nevertheless, in almost every town you can find several remarkable old buildings, and just walking along the streets of small towns, many of which have existed for the second millennium, is very interesting. First of all, you should pay attention to the cities of Reggio di Calabria and Vibo Valentia, which are the centers of the provinces of the same name.

Reggio di Calabria is the largest city in Calabria. Almost 190 thousand people live here.

In Reggio di Calabria, it is worth taking a look at the Aragonese castle (Castello Aragonese), built under the Normans, at the beginning of the 11th century. Its walls are so strong that they survived even during the devastating earthquake of the early 20th century, which destroyed many buildings.

The city embankment is considered one of the most beautiful in all of Italy. IN good weather you can see Sicily on the horizon.

Located 20 kilometers to the north, the town of Scilla (population barely exceeds 5,000 people) is famous for the castle of Ruffo (Castello Ruffo), built in the middle of the XIII century. Previously, it housed the residence of the rulers of Calabria, now it is a museum. You can get inside for 1.5 euros.

Gerace, located on the shores of the Ionian Sea, 90 km from the provincial capital, is known as the city of a hundred churches. However, only 20 of them remained, including the Nunziatella Church (Chiesa della Nunziatella), built in the 10th century and miraculously survived numerous earthquakes. The Cathedral of the city (Duomo) is the largest church in Calabria; This building dates from the 11th century.

Another old building- Byzantine Church of San Giovannello (Chiesetta di San Giovannello); it was also built in the 10th century.

In the very south of the peninsula, 40 km from Reggio di Calabria, is Pentedattilo, the so-called ghost town. One of the oldest settlements in the region, founded in 640 BC, it was badly damaged by an earthquake that occurred at the end of the 18th century. Most of the inhabitants left the city, and a few years later it was completely empty. The city was abandoned until the second half of the 20th century, when volunteers from European countries started work on its restoration. Nobody still lives here, but there is a restaurant, a museum, and several handicraft shops. Those wishing to visit this place can stay in the nearby town of Melita di Porto Salvo.

Vibo Valentia

The city of Vibo Valentia is considered the birthplace of the 'Ndrangheta. Here stands a Norman castle; the exact period of its construction is unknown, but official documents dated 1070 already mention the castle.

The city of Pizzo is located 10 km north of Vibo Valentia. Its main attraction is the rock church of Piedigrotta (Chiesetta di Piedigrotta). The halls of the church are located in the thickness of the rock, inside there are many statues that seem ancient, but were actually created in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by two local sculptors, father and son. The church is open daily, entrance is paid.

Tropea stands on the seashore 30 km west of Vibo Valentia. This medieval city was not damaged at all by the 1905 earthquake, so all the medieval buildings here have been preserved intact. One of the most impressive is the snow-white church of Santa Maria dell'Isola. The building stands on top of a hill; a staircase carved into the rock leads to it. You can’t get into the church, but no one bothers to admire the view. Spread at the foot of the hill sand beach; look at it from above Observation deck on Largo Migliarese street.

Crotone, Catanzaro, Cosenza

Crotone is one of the oldest cities in Calabria, from which its colonization by the Greeks began. According to legend, the place on the seashore, where ancient Croton arose in 708 BC, was indicated to the Greeks by the Delphic oracle. In the center of Crotone, from the 9th century, rises Cathedral(Duomo).

The ancient castle, founded at the same time, was supposed to protect the city from the raids of the Saracens. It was rebuilt seven centuries later; Nowadays, it houses the exposition of the archaeological museum.

The center of the province of the same name, Catanzaro (Catanzaro) is notable for its location, because of which the city is constantly blowing strong winds. It stands in a seismically hazardous zone, so many historical buildings and structures have been repeatedly destroyed, rebuilt and restored over the years of their existence. An example is the cathedral, built in 1121: the last reconstruction was carried out after the Second World War, during which the cathedral suffered significant damage.

One of the attractions of the city of Cosenza is the 11th century cathedral. After numerous restorations, it acquired its current appearance, which has not changed since the beginning of the 19th century. The cathedral houses an ancient relic: a wooden crucifix from the 15th century. It was erected in memory of Isabella of Aragon, the wife of Philip III, King of France, who died here, returning with her husband from another crusade.

beach holiday

Since the sea surrounds the territory of the region from almost all sides, there is no shortage of beaches here. This is all the more pleasant because the summer in the coastal regions of Calabria is very hot. local resorts designed for people with average incomes: Calabria is the poorest region in Italy therefore, the price level here is much lower than in other parts of the country. Beach holidays are just beginning to develop actively, the sea is still clean, so you should take the opportunity to relax here before the situation changes for the worse.