Reggio Calabria

Reggio Calabria, Region Calabria, Italy

Reggio Calabria, located on the toe of the Italian boot, is the capital of the province of Reggio Calabria, and was the capital of the region of Calabria until 1970 when this became Catanzaro. It and faces the sea on the other side of which lies the Sicilian city of Messina connected by ferry, though there has been for years now the project, highly favored by politicians and the EU, to build a huge bridge across the strait, though many groups are against the project, fearing it will endanger the whole sea and coastline environments of the area. Reggio Calabria is the hometown of Gianni Versace, who came from a family of tailors in Reggio.

Where to stay

4-star Hotels
3-star Hotels
Agritourisms
B & B's in Reggio Calabria

Info:

Population: ca. 180,000 inhabitants (called reggini) -- Zip/postal code: 89100 -- Phone Area Code: 0965

History

Founded as Rhegion by Greek settlers in the 8th century BC, the city was devastated by several major earthquakes and associated tsunami, the last of which happened on December 28, 1908.

WHAT TO SEE

Basilica of Maria Santissima Assunta, rebuilt after the 1908 earthquake on a project of Padre Carmelo Angelini. It is a pilgrimage destination in September, when the huge wooden painting of the Madonna della Consolazione is carried from the Basilica to the hermitage.

Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia, containing items collected through over 160 anni of excavations in Calabria, the most famous pieces being the Riace bronze statues.

The Castello Aragonese, whose origin goes back to 536 Ad, when it was a Byzanthine fortress. Its present structure is due to Queen Giovanna I and Ferdinando I Aragon, who ordered the addition of the ditch. In 1539 it was furtherly enlarged so that it could host almost 1,000 people. It is among the most beautiful Spanish fortresses in Italy.

Parco Nazionale dell'Aspromonte