Calabria
Calabria is a region in the very south of Italy that gets the most sun and salt spray. The toe of the Apennine “boot” is washed by two seas at once, the Ionian and Tyrrhenian. But the main advantage of the picturesque beaches and coastal towns of Calabria is that to enjoy the wonderful nature and leisurely pace of life is not prevented by a large number of tourists.
Video: Calabria
Contents- History of Calabria
- Main resorts and attractions
Hotel specials - Local cuisine
- Travel tips
- How to get there
History of Calabria
The history of these lands helps to study not so much medieval chronicles as archaeological excavations, because the Osca and Samnites settled here long before the advent of writing. In the VIII century BC the Greeks appreciated the advantage of the geographical position of the Italian tribes. The cities they founded – Croton, Sybaris and Locri – grew and prospered during the period of Great Greece. The migrants called the new homeland kalon brion, i.e. “fertile land” – this expression eventually transformed into “Calabria.”
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Main resorts and attractions
The most attractive for vacationers in Calabria can be called the city of Tropea, the beaches in the vicinity of which are regularly ranked among the best in the Old World. 50 kilometers of the Costa Bella are a bizarre alternation of wide sandy areas and secluded rocky coves, which can be reached only by sea or inconspicuous paths for pedestrians. The rich underwater world attracts divers, and the winds that raise the right waves attract fans of kites and windsurfing. There’s plenty to keep you busy and a little away from the surf’s edge. By happy coincidence, the historical building of Tropea was practically not damaged during the devastating earthquake of 1905, so while walking along the winding narrow streets you can feel the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. It will be interesting to look into miniature stores of local craftsmen and farmers’ stalls. Lovers of history and architecture will not be able to pass by the Romanesque cathedral of the XII century and the somewhat younger Annunciation Church, which contain real works of religious art. You won’t be able to see the interior of the Church of Santa Maria del Isolla, but its snow-white silhouette on the top of a seaside cliff covered with greenery will leave few indifferent.
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By making arrangements with a boat owner, it is possible to take a short trip to the Lipar Archipelago. All of its islands were once formed by frozen lava flows. The Stromboli volcano is still active and shows its hot temper with thermal springs gushing from the ground and hot air rising above fumaroles – cracks in its slope.
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For man-made attractions in Calabria, you should go to a place called Cosenza. Here the ruins of ancient buildings neighbor with a partially preserved Roman road, a castle from the time of Norman rule and monuments of later eras. The local Romanesque Duomo is famous for the ashes of Isabella of Aragon, the eldest daughter of Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella. The monastery complex of St. Francis of Assisi had to be rebuilt several times after serious earthquakes, and today it houses the creations of medieval masters. Modern art is represented in the collection of the open-air museum, there are even works by Salvador Dali, Giorgio de Chirico, Emilio Greco.
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Statues are the pride of another seaside town as well. The church of Piedigrotta, carved right into the thickness of the rock, houses numerous stone figures of angels and monks created at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. But there are also secular attractions in Pizzo: Aragonese castle, fortress, streets-staircases and… unique ice cream tartufo, in which real truffle is added.
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Just a few kilometers away lies the center of the province of Vibo Valentia. In addition to excellent beaches, foreigners are attracted by the medieval castle turned into an archaeological museum, the ancient monastery, churches of different eras, villas of wealthy citizens.
Unfortunately, very little of the original old buildings have survived in Reggio di Calabria. The reason for this is both the numerous Saracen raids that continued until the 19th century and the activity of the tectonic plates. The last powerful earthquake occurred in 1908 and left the city mostly stone ruins, so along the embankment Matteotti are not ancient palazzos, and mansions in Art Nouveau style. However, it is they in combination with lush orchards create a unique image of “the most beautiful kilometer in Italy”, and complements the picture of a stunning seascape. On a fine day, the outline of the island of Sicily and the towering volcano Etna can be seen on the horizon. Operating temples and churches often carefully preserve elements of the religious buildings on which they were built.
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In neighboring Diamante, record numbers of visitors flock to the area in early September for the traditional festival of burning red peppers. The festivities are accompanied by street theater performances, concerts on improvised stages and a fair where you can taste dozens of dishes from the very same peperoncino: from appetizers to desserts. At all other times, the town is interesting mainly for the murales. About 200 colorful paintings adorn the walls of houses with the blessing of the owners and administration, and their number is gradually increasing.
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Hotel Specials
Local Cuisine
The culinary traditions of Calabria should be called without exaggeration another iconic attraction of the region. The land yields bountiful harvests of vegetables and wheat, citrus, olives, grapes, while shellfish and fish are harvested from the salty depths. All this goes into the kitchens of local hostesses to set a sumptuous table for the arrival of the household or to introduce the palette of southern flavors to foreigners.
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How to get there
There are two airports in the Calabria region, Lamezia Terme and Reggio di Calabria. However, they serve regular domestic flights, and you cannot fly here directly from Russia (except for seasonal charters of tour operators). It is possible to transfer to Rome, Florence, Milan and Bergamo. The nearest international air gateway is located in Naples. Calabria is also connected to other Italian cities by road and rail.
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