Itineraries in Calabria

The Greeks, Byzantines, Bourbons , and not only that, they have chosen this corner of the earth to settle, today, the literary, historical and artistic make it once again unique and original, so you can define a few attractions truly special and unique in their kind.

Stilo the city of the Byzantines and Tommaso Campanella, Pazzano Village of ancient mines, Bivongi DOC wine country

Around the Monte Consolino, on which stands The wonderful Norman Castle, there are three villages, Stilo, Pazzano and Bivongi, rich of history, art and architecture that gave birth to the famous characters of ancient history.

A Stilo you can admire the historic center, the numerous palaces and beautiful churches, and the Catholic, an important byzantine church, and the park around it, the Cave of the Shepherdess, the view towards mt and the valley of Stilaro, Spectacular the Norman Castle on top of Monte Consolino. Stilo gave birth to many famous historical figures including Tommaso Campanella and Francesco Cozza.

Not far from there is Pazzano small and quaint village that in the bourbon period, it was important to be the main mining centre of iron mining to the south. Here we can see, first of all, the Hermitage hypogeum of Santa Maria della Stella and the Fountain of the Miners.

Bivongi is known for both its wine, which has obtained the recognition of DOC, but also per the Marmarico waterfall, the highest in the south, but it is worth visiting the Byzantine Monastery of St. John the Teristis.

In the Woods of Stilo, the Gorges of The Assi and the Marmarico waterfall

From the “Costa degli aranci” to “the Riviera of the Bronze” up until the “Serre Calabre”, you will find ancient villages and castles perched, slippery, mountain peaks and deep gorges of the rivers, and here and there towers and rock-hewn churches, ancient villas and cottages, or manor, mills in calabria and water-mills, and keep fauna and flora from the variety unheard of. This is the trekking that we offer.

The Bronzes of Riace and Ionian beaches

We are indeed fortunate to be able to bathe in the waters of the Ionian Sea in the beaches of Magna Graecia along the Riviera of the Riace Bronzes.

The Magna Grecia – The Kaulon Archaeological Park

The myth has it that, after the Trojan war, the Achaeans landed on the coasts of Calabria , destroying the kingdom of Clete. Only Claulon you would be saved and would be rebuilt here in the city.

The Borghi degli Angeli – Guardavalle, Santa Caterina Badolato

Along the ss139, which is located halfway between the Ionian sea and the Serre Calabresi, are the three beautiful villages that beyond their character with very few tourists, are numerous and imported architectural, cultural and environmental. The three villages trigger each year, food and wine events that are typical within ancient local underground called Catoji.

The small town of Guardavalle, the village of the 12 towers, built around the year 1000 on the side of the river, presents, in its large historic centre, characterized by a arab/medieval, great palaces and important churches, the Palace of Falletti (XIX century), Palace Spedalieri (XVII-XVIII century), Palazzo Syrleto (XVI-XVII century), Palace Salerno (XVI century), Palazzo Rispoli (the NINETEENTH century), Tower Giordano, The arc de triomphe in Piazza del Carmine and the Ruins of the Basilica of San Carlo, the Church of the Rosario (EIGHTEENTH century), Church of Maria SS. del Carmine (XVII century), the Church of the Anime del Purgatorio (XVII century), Church of St. Anthony, the Monastery of Santa Maria. Guardavalle has given birth to important characters of the culture such as the Cardinal Guglielmo Syrleto, and as well as boasting varied landscapes, the Gorge of the fiumara Assi, the Cascata of Pietracupa.

Santa Caterina dello Jonio, the village of terraces, which was built before the year 1000, on a hill almost 500 m of height above sea level, because of the Turkish raids. The old town has preserved the medieval structure, characterized by narrow streets, ancient churches, noble palaces with beautiful granite portals. In Santa Caterina dello Ionio, you can visit the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, the Church of the most holy Rosary, the Church of the Addolorata, the Church of Santa Caterina and the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Admire also the Palace Of the Barone del Balzo, the Palace Of the Marchese di Francia, the Tower of S. Antonio. Wonderful views on the ionian sea, and on the calachi white.

​Badolato, stands abandoned on a hill 240 meters above the sea level. The picturesque medieval village is characterized by a byzantine system with numerous churches prepared to form of Latin cross and with many characteristic alleys. Among the most important monuments: the Church of San Domenico (.D. In 1566, the Church of Santa Caterina d’alessandria (a.D. 1198), the Church of the Immaculate conception with the belvedere on the sea.D.1686), Bell Tower (1539), the Remains of the old medieval port area (the bastion), the Ancient shops of the local craftsmen, Via Portella (porterha – area Mancuso) – the lane closer to the village, 2 km on the Road to Serra San Bruno: the Convent of Santa Maria degli Angeli (.D. 1606), today the headquarters of the Community “MONDO X”, the Shrine Basilica of our Lady of Health (TWELFTH century).

In the Riviera dei Gelsomini – Gioiosa and Roccella Jonica

There are many things to visit in Roccella Jonica, but, above all, the wonderful Norman Castle on the cliff and the delle Grazie touristic port, it is well-known throughout the world for the Jazz Festival Rumori mediterranei. Not far from Roccella we find Gerace premium choice wood species as one of the most beautiful Villages in Italy, has much to see, from the Medieval Castle, allto the cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Gerace, one of the most important buildings of the normans of Calabria, as well as one of the largest religious buildings in the region. Gerace is known as the city of a hundred churches, but it also offers numerous views.

In the gulf of Squillace – Soverato, Squillace, Roccelletta di Borgia

Viaggiando along the Gulf of Squillace, we find:

Soverato, (Blue Flag 2017), called the Pearl of the Ionian sea, for its beautiful beach, the promenade, the places of amusement, and then the point of reference for nightlife of the area. To visit, to Soverato Superiore, the Piety of the Cagini in the church of the most Holy Addolarata, and Old Soverato, distruttua by the earthquake of 1783, the Botanical Garden.

Squillace, with an important historical center for history, culture and traditions, in fact, was born here M. A. Cassiodorus who founded the Vivarium, the first university of Europe. The machining of the ceramic, with the ancient technique of the ionian greeks, characterized the handicraft local, there are several art studios where you can witness the creation of unique pieces of ceramic art, many of which are on display in important museums such as the British Museum of London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

The Archaeological Park of Scolacium, in Roccelletta di Borgia, can be defined as one of the jewels of the archaeological parks of Calabria. Completely immersed in a forest of olive-trees, has many architectural relics and archaeological sites of the complex history of the site. Walking along the didactic/cultural path, you can see the Forum, the Theatre and the Basilica of Santa Maria della Roccella, the Roman Amphitheatre, many of the smaller buildings, the Museo Archeologico di Scolacium, which gathers all remains of the park, and the Museum of olive Oil.

Inside the Natural Park of the Serre – Serra San Bruno and Mongiana

In the middle of the “Parco regionale delle Serre” , we find two beautiful towns, Serra San Bruno and Mongiana. Serra San Bruno is famous for the homonymous Certosa, the Path Frassati, the Forest of Santa Maria and the Hermitage of Saint Bruno of Cologne, but wonderful are the numerous churches from the granite facades of the baroque.

Mongiana is now famous throughout the world as the Center of Metallurgy Bourbon, here you are, in fact, the Museum Of weapons Factory and the archaeological Park of the Royal ironworks and Workshops of Mongiana, we can not visit The Park Forest Villa Victory.

Along the Costa degli Dei – Capo vaticano, Tropea and Pizzo Calabro

Capo Vaticano, Tropea and Pizzo are located along the Costa degli Dei, on the tyrrhenian coast of Calabria.

At the Capo Vaticano you can visit the famous lighthouse, from here you can admire wonderful views over the beaches and coves, cliffs and reefs, surrounded by crystal clear sea.

Tropea is famous for its wonderful historic centre rich of ancient buildings, monuments and squares . Here you can visit the Norman Cathedral and the sanctuary of the Benedictine monks of the church of Santa Maria of the island, completely surrounded by the transparent sea and white beaches. You will love the view of the Aeolian islands

Pizzo Calabrois an ancient village of fishermen, is characterized by a historical centre with narrow streets and small squares, you will need to make a visit to the Aragonese Castlewhere he was executed Joachim Murat, and make a stop in the many bars to enjoy the famous ice cream Truffle of Pizzo. Do not forget to visit, not far away, the church of Piedigrotta, built into the rock on the shore of the sea.