Calabria is the land of an extremely ancient Mediterranean civilisation and the place from whence the name of the whole peninsula derives. Calabria was in fact originally called Italy in honour of its king, Italo. Numerous testimonies from various eras, fundamental for the culture and history of the whole of Europe are conserved here in museums and tangible signs of which can also be found in the excavations of Sibari, Roccella, and Locri. The Romans, Goths, Longobards, Byzantines, Normansi, Swabians, Angioins, Aragonese and Borbons have all left highly relevant cultural testimonies in the land of Calabria, allowing the tourist to go on a fascinating journey through the history of man. Calabria, a peninsula with 800 kilometres of coastline, is also a land of environmental contrasts, and while the sea and the mountains are only 40 kilometres apart, a unique ecological equilibrium exists between the two.
Aspromonte
The most interesting aspects of Aspromonte are certainly the mountains, where the thick vegetation gives a fairytale air to the landscape. Between Pietra Pertosa and Castelmagno the scenery is spectacular: pinnacles rising to the sky look almost like prehistoric monsters, with dwellings hollowed out in the rock base as a defence against barbarian raids. The great variety of vegetation is matched by the geological variety of the land formation. The area around Pollino, rocky and steep, differs from la Sila, a vast highland and rolling plains which, in turn, is in no way similar to Aspromonte, rising high above the other in giant terraces and steppes. Coming into Calabria on the “Autostrada del Sole” you can discover in the Pollino group one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the all of ltaly, stretching out on the 80 kilometers between the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian Seas. The highest peaks of this group are over two thousand meters, and their sun-lit, snow-capped peaks are visible all year long.
The Sila
The most precious ornament in the province of Cosenza is the Sila, which can be reached from the Pollino group. The highlands of Sila are a vast, granite plain about 1.600 to 2.000 feet above sea level; the two main sections of the plain are called the “Grande Cosentina” and the “Piccola Catanzarese”. The immense forests of pine and beech, fir and evergreen. which alternate with grassy clearings are the real mountain country of the South. This open, luminous landscape with its unforgettable and spectacular views reflects in the clear blue water of mountain lakes. The invigorating air makes hiking pleasurable and relaxing, and the many health and ski resorts are equipped for summer as well as for winter vacationers, such as Silvana Mansio and Lorica. At the very center of “Sila Grande” is Camigliatello. There are hotels of all categories scattered throughout the woods and valleys. The many ski lifts working near the hotels where enormous networks of trails can meet the requirements of all kinds and levels of skiers. Hidden in the immense pine forest is the splendid lake of Cecita, winding through the low hills alongside it and creating countless coves and inlets. Just a few kilometers further on is Fossiata, where there is a birch nursury, and where silver fir and larch reach towards the mountain peaks. Continuing on, we reach the town San Giovanni in Fiore where the Abbot Gioacchino da Fiore founded the “Monasterium Florense”. The women of this town still wear their marvellous costumes of Albanian origin and have maintained the traditions of hand-weaving rugs, woolen blankets and linen. The road proceeds towards the Ionian, and the mountainous profiles outlining the province of Catanzaro: they are “La Sila Piccola”, “Le Serre” and “I1 Poro”. There is a fairly large artificial lake on “La Sila Piccola”. called the “Ampollino” that has increased the fascination of the landscape. The health resorts in this area are famous: Villaggio Mancuso, Villa Racisi and Trepid•. Leaving pines, birches and evergreens at our shoulders, we enter the kingdom of oaks and chestnuts and, crossing through Albi we reach Taverna, home of the painter Mattia Preti.
The Serre
Catanzaro is on the narrowest point of the Calabrian peninsula, between the Gulfs of Squillace and of Santa Eufemia: this is the beginning of the region of the “Serre”, granite stone rising from 3300 to 3800 feet covered with rich vegetation and beautiful woods, giving the countryside an Alpine, pastoral aspect that is as surprising as it is charming. The landscape opens more as we get nearer Soriano; we climb towards Mount Poro through the woods of Santa Maria. In the distance the peaks of the Reventino are visible as they close the broad plain of Santa Eufemia and meet the Sila. A bit farther on, framed by the solemn majesty of the tall birch and pine woods is Serra San Bruno, ready to share its secret fascination. In the province of Reggio Calabria Aspromonte reaches practically down to the shore. Forests and gulches alternate and give the area a tough hardy attractiveness. Gambarie is the health resort that is the most famous of the region, attracting visitors for summer sports as well as skiing in winter.
The Ionio (Jonio) Coast
Continuing on from Reggio and following the shore from the Straits downward, we came across the seaside stations of some inland towns where Ancient Greek is still spoken: Condofuri, Bova, Palizzi. The increasingly blue sea contrasts with the long, sunny beaches that are blindingly white and frame pretty tourist centers and market places like Brancaleone, Bianco and Bovalino. We are on the Ionian Sea and the ancient civilization of “Magna Graecia” comes again to light in many of the towns along this splendid coast. Just before entering Locri, a pleasant, modern town, SS 106 skirts the ancient city of Persephone, now the site of internationally famous excavations. Continuing onward, we get to tourist centers, calm and pretty, such as Marina di Gioiosa, Monasterace, Caulonia and Riace. At this point we are in the Province of Catanzaro and near Soverato, an historically and artistically important center. Copanello Lido, Borgia where the ruins of the “Roccelletta” are found, Squillace Simeri Crichi, Sellia, Isola Capo Rizzuto with its modern receptive facilities and nearby airport in historical contrast with the majestic remains of “Hannibal’s Castle”. Beyond Crotone, a large industrial center and site of an important Archeological Museum, and continuing on along the SS 106, we enter the Province of Cosenza after Cir• Marina. There is a long series of towns rich in tradition and folklore following one of the most stimulating and uncontaminated shorelines of the entire Mediterranean basin. Rossano has its wealth of Byzantine monuments. Corigliano Calabro, Sibari which is one of the most important archeological areas and tourist centers of Calabria, Villapiana Lido, Trebisacce, a fishing and bathing center, Marina di Amendolara, Roseto Capo Spulico and finally Rocca lmperiale where Frederick II of Sweden built a grandiose castle still protecting that ancient civilization. Further on in Lucania, where a coastal strip of approximately 40 kilometers with fine sand beaches and studded with hotel and other amenities in continuous development lies: the Lidos of Metaponto, of Scanzano and of Policoro are the best known and patronized. Behind them, at Metaponto and Eraclea, are the impressive remains of what civilization was able to create during the colonizing expansion on Italian ground between the 8th and the 5th centuries BC.
Reggio Calabria
The city deserves a visit especially for its Magna Grecia National Museum which exhibits a collection of findings from the ancient Greek city and other places. Other treasures include Greek bronze statues, the two statues of the warriors recovered off the coast of Riace in 1972. Statue A (460 B.C.) is attributed to Fidia, an Athenian sculptor, the greatest exponent of classic style and his works of art had reached us up until now exclusively in the form of Roman copies. Statue B (430 B.C.) was attributed to the sculptor Policleto. Originally they were probably both to be found in the Delfi temple.
The Tirreno (Tyrrhenian) Coast
The itinerary winds along the Tyrrhenian coastline near Cosenza within sight of well-equipped bathing establishments such as Maratea, Praia a mare and Scalea, where there are prehistoric grottoes hidden beneath the Talao Tower and its medieval roads and pathways. Further south are the rocky reefs of Fiuzzi and San Nicola Arcella with their remarkable white houses hugging the shores; you then go down again to Cirella at the foot of the ancient city destroyed by Hannibal. The coastal towns continue with Diamante, Marina di Belvedere and Sangineto Lido close to the picturesque ruins of the Prince’s Castle. Cetraro Marina which is a commercial centre with a port that can handle both fishing boats and yachts. A few kilometres farther on, you come to Guardia Piemontese Terme, the only Waldensian settlement in Southern Italy as well as being a well-equipped spa and bathing centre. Paola is an important railroad junction and highway intersection as well as being a religious centre. Continuing along the coast you eventually reach San Lucido, Fiumefreddo and Amantea, founded by the Normans. Still further on, passing into the Province of Catanzaro, you will see the immense beaches of Falerna Lido and Lamezia Terme just a little beyond. On the other side of the Gulf of Santa Eufemia is Pizzo, whose Aragon castle, where Gioacchino Murat was imprisoned and shot, dominates the bay. Then you come to Vibo Marina’s tourist and trading port. Tropea is an important tourist centre and has a little harbour; this leads on to Capo Vaticano, where you can enjoy a magnificent view over the entire Tyrrhenian coastline. After going through Ioppolo, Nicotera and Gioia Tauro you will come to Palmi, where there is a museum dedicated to the ethnology and folklore of Calabria. Beyond Bagnara is Scilla which seems to be made up of many tiny houses working their way seaward and divided into two groups by the rocky spur on which the castle is built. Undoubtedly the most picturesque part of Scilla is the fisherman’s district called “chianalea”. Villa San Giovanni is next and is connected to Sicily by the ferry routes. Finally, you come to Reggio Calabria, the city of “Morgan le Fay”, nestled along the Straits of Messina and surrounded by bergamot and jasmine.
