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Culture
92 In its history Calabria has seen the passing of many po-
pulations and many cultures coming from all over the
Mediterranean. It conserves all the historical and cul-
tural signs of this event full of fascination; often we talk of
“Calabrie” in the plural way and not Calabria. the Cala-
bria’s population is sincere and hospital and it is the result
of all the invasions that characterized its history. these
invasions also characterized the art, the archaeology, the
architecture, the gastronomy and the craftsmanship, the
music, the religion and all of its culture. But Calabria isn’
t only an expression of history and cultural diversity, it is
also contemporaneousness, showed by an important num-
ber of international events and its museums that have ma-
sterpieces known all over the world.
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From the majesty of riace Bronzes, known all over the
World, to Mattia Preti’ s paintings and umberto Boccioni’ s
and Mimmo rotella’ s pieces. Calabria can offer an impor-
tant artistic property to its tourists, and it links folklore,
gastronomy and artisan tradition. All round the year Cala-
bria offers an important opportunity to know its tradition,
culture (art, ceramic, copper ‘s things, wood’s sculpture,
spun). But the most important thing of Calabria’ s Popula-
tion is its hospitality and its loving style.
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“Every corner of this wonderful land represents an invitation
to discover its millenarian history”
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the biggest part of archaeological remains of Calabria coming from the first colonies of
Magna Greacia, and they are re-closed in four Big Archaeological Parks of locri, Capo
Colonna, roccelletta di Borgia e Sibari, unique case in Mediterranean where there are
three different eras. Other archaeological areas of Magna Graecia are spread all over the
regional territory, mostly of the roman era.
ArChAeOlOGy
“A fascinating journey throughout the origins
of the Mediterranean civilization”
Sibari
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SyBAryS
Founded around 730-720 B.C. by Greek popula-
tion, Sibarys with Kroton and Taranto, was one of the
biggest city of Magna Graecia. It had a population
of about 1oo.ooo inhabitants, they are distributed
on 510 hectare of territory surrounded by a wall 10
km long. Today the ruins of the three ancient cities
Sibarys, Thoutioi and the roman Copia, are coming
up from the underground of the Archaeological Park
of Sibari, creating a unique thing all over the Occi-
dent world. Linked to the Archaeological Park of
Sibari there is the New Archaeological Museum of
Sibari inaugurated in 1996. It is the most important
cultural and historical point of the Ionic Part of Co-
senza’ s province. Among the five Calabria’s National
Museum, the sibary’s one, has the most important
remains of the surrounding territory, including the
remains pre-colonies of Francavilla Marittima and
Castiglione of Paludi. Distributed in five museum’ s
areas, there are the remains of the area of excavation
of the near Archaeological Park. They represent the
city of Sybaris and Thourioi (of archaic and Hellenic
Era) and the roman Copia.
KrOtOn
Ancient and powerful Greek colony of VI century
B.C., surrounded by 20 km of wall and it is defen-
ded by an army of 15o.ooo soldiers, it was the place
of the philosophic ’s Pythagorean School, medical
school (considered the best of the ancient world)
and gymnastic school.
Ten km further down of Crotone, on the Capo Co-
lonna’s promontory, there is the Archaeological
Park, named as another one realized by the Or-
ganization of Archaeological property of Calabria.
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The park spreads along 30 hectare of the territory
organized for the excavation, and other 20 hectare
for wood and for mediterranean spot. Between the
holy areas of all the Mediterranean the most im-
portant is the majestic Sanctuary dedicated to Hera
Lacinia, wife and daughter of Zeus and queen of all
the divinity. Hera was venerated like a Goddess that
protects the pasture, the women, the women fertility,
the family and the wedding. The enter of the Park is
composed of the New Archaeological museum that
keeps the remains coming from the near excavations.
Many objects was found during the excavations in the
Archaeological Park and they are divided in the diffe-
rent museums of Crotone’ s city. The last refugees are
in the new and near Capo Colonna’ s Museum, while
something of pre-colonial Eras is showed in The Anti-
quarium of Torre Nao, built inside the Archaeological
Park. In the most equipped Archaeological National
Museum of Crotone there are the first remains of
archaic Era and the precious Hera’s treasure.
SKIlletIOn
Ancient Greek city it became a roman’s colony
with the name of Scolacium, where nowadays are
the monumental ruins inside the Archaeological
Park. Founded in 1982 with its Antequarium of
Roccelletta. The area is interesting for the ruins of
the Norman Basilica, and for the ancient colony of
Scolacium, built in 120 B.C. over the remains of the
Greek colony called Skylletion. The excavations of
the Archaeological Park of Scolacium reveals every
day important objects of the ancient Roman’s co-
lony of Scolacium, while we have probably a few
or maybe nothing of the ruins of ancient Skylletion.
Over the mountain, the preliminary researches in-
dividuated an amphitheatre of the II century A.D.
three thermal establishments, a necropolis and a
aqueduct that complete the ancient Scolacium.
hIPPOnIOn
Four km away from the coast, on a small hill 5oo
meters above the sea level, in the modern city of
Vibo Valentia, there are the remains of the ancient
Locri’s colony of Hipponion, built near an early in-
digene centre called Veipo. Hipponion was a colony
of Locri Epizefiri founded at the end of VII century
B.C. with Medma, to acquire new cultivable lands
and guarantee a trading way on the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Inside the Norman Castle of Vibo Valentia we find
the Archaeological Museum with the remains co-
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ming from the excavations of Hipponion.
lOCrI ePIzeFIrI
The ancient Locri’s colony of Locri Epizefiri was
founded a few years after the foundation of Kroton
in 709 B.C. Locri Epizefiri is the most interesting co-
lony among the Magna Graecia, and here was born
Zaleuco, the man that wrote the first written Code of
Laws and the poetess Nosside, a follower of Saffo
Locri
and the major poetess of Magna Graecia.
The Archaeological Park of Locri Epizefiri is 4 km
further down south towards Reggio Calabria to the
modern city of Locri. The entrance, composed of
the new Archaeological National museum of Locri
Epizefiri, is directly accessible from the SS 106 Io-
nic road. The Park protects a large area in Marasà
where was individuate the ancient Locri’s colony of
Lokroi Epizefiri.
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ethnIC MInOrIty
the AlBAnIAn
They settled in the Calabrian territory around 1400
especially in the area of the Pollino Park, after 5 centu-
ries they still keep intact their mother-tongue, typical
customs lots of historic-folklore events above which
the famous Vallje, with which the Arbresh people,
every Tuesday after Easter ,remember and celebra-
te one of the Hero Skanderberg’s victory against the
Turkish Empire that happened exactly a Tuesday after
Easter. The element that joined these ancient commu-
nities ,settled in foreign land has been the Greek- By-
zantine rite professed amongst the Italian- Albanian
population and by them lived as the most highest
estate of all nations In all the communities of Italian-
Albanian historical origin, mass and all the principle
sacraments(Baptism, Confirmation, Wedding) are
celebrated with the Byzantine- Greek rite and whe-
re the Icon have a high sacred symbolical value as
well as a high number of furnishing of the Byzanti-
ne liturgic that are found in nearly all the churchs
of this community.Civita a small Arbresh village on
the Pollino slopes, is known for its strong culture
and numera initiative to protect the Minor Histori-
cal Ethnics Culture. Lungro place of the Byzantine
Dioces,(Eparchia di Lungro) of Byzantine- Greek rite.
The church of San Nicola di Mira keeps the splendid
Mosaic “Il Cristo Pantocrator”.
the “OCCItAnI”(tyPe OF lAnGuAGe)
Guardia Piemontese, in the Province of Cosenza,
has the particularity to be the only one to mountain
this language in the south of Italy because it was
founded by the “Valdesi” from Piedmont. The com-
munity speaks “Occitano” as mother-tongue .At the
entrance to the town there is the famous “Porat del
sangue”(Blood Door) main door to the town and the
name recalls the sad period of repression.
the “GreCAnICI”(GreeKS)
From the Ionaian Coast, going up the river Melito,
and through the Aspromont, we discover, the Ar-
chaic world of the Greek communities or “Bovesia”,
the descendents of Greeks Bova, Condofuri, Galli-
ciano’, Roccaforte del Greco, Roghudi are mountain
villages in which they speak an incomprehensive
Neo- Greek dialect and are maintained traditions of
an ancient civilization. Bova , for instance over 900
meter sea-level, is considered the centre of “Greek”
in Calabria. The Greek area has a mild climate and
therefore suitable for the plantation of Bergamot.
Along the banks of streams and on hills we find
other plantations but this one is named the “green
Gold “from which is obtained the essence used as
the base for the most refined perfume producers
of the world.
“Populations safeguarding their own language and culture identity”
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MuSeuM And CItIeS OF Art
CAtAnzArO And the MArCA
CAtAnzArO Art MuSeuM
Known as the “City of the two seas”, it is also called
“City of the three hills”-corresponding to those repre-
sented in its emblem, St.Trifone, today known as St.
Rocco, of the Bishopric, today’s Piazza Duomo, and
of the Castle, today’s St. John. In ancient times it was
known as city of the three V’s, referring to the three
distinct features of the city: the V of San Vitaliano, the
patron saint; the V of velvet, as it was an important
silk centre since the time of the Byzantines; and the
V of wind (vento in Italian) as it is constantly beaten
by the strong breezes from the Ionian Sea and Sila.
“VVV” was the acronym by which Catanzaro’s silk
industry was identified on both national and foreign
markets, an emblem of the finest fabrication of silks,
velvets, damasks and brocades from the city.
The latest archaeological finds testify to the presence
of settlements along the valley of Corace since the
Iron Age. The area was inhabited by the Vituli, by the
name vitulus (calf) the simulacrum they venerated,
renamed by the Greeks “Italioi” - worshipers of the
calf-and ruled by the famous Italian king Italo. The
latter – brother of Dardanus- ancestor of the Trojans
– gave his name to the entire peninsula, Italy.
By tradition it was founded by the Byzantine general
Nicephorus Phocas the Elder; Catanzaro’s develop-
ment into a fortress town was established by General
Flagizio. According to some assumptions, it was du-
ring this period that the cultivation of mulberry and
silk began, hence, in addition to the legendary foun-
ding by the Byzantine leaders Zaro and Cattaro, the
name of the city from the Greek word “Katartarioi”,
spinners of silk.
The Saracens, who occupied it in the tenth century,
founded here an emirate, Qatansar. Then the By-
zantines, the Normans, the Angevins, the Swabians
came until the strenuous resistance to the French
that earned the city the title of “Faithful” granted by
Charles V in 1528. Its coat of arms was enriched by
the presence of the imperial eagle, and by the motto
Sanguinis effusione; exempted from taxes, it could
mint a coin of the value of a carlin whose faces bore
the inscription OBSISSO CATHANZARIO and CA-
ROL. V S IMP. The city was the capital of Calabria
Ultra from 1593 till 1816, the year of the province
administrative division. It is full of churches, monu-
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ments and civil architectures: the Cathedral, rebuilt,
remodelled and at last restored, was built on the site
of a Norman church; the little church of Saint Homo-
bonus dating back to the eleventh or twelfth century;
the monumental fountain of “The Cavatore” by Giu-
seppe Rito; the viaduct Morandi, third in the world
for its span width; the recent Politeama Theatre a
work by Paolo Portoghesi. Since 2008, the city hosts
the MARCA. The Museum, directed by Alberto Fiz is
one of the most important artistic and cultural cen-
tres throughout the South of Italy. Its main purposes
are: to enhance the collection of local paintings and
sculptures from ‘600 to ‘800, to pay homage to Mim-
mo Rotella, born and artistically trained in Catanzaro,
and to promote contemporary art in the direction of
the important experience of Intersections, a sculp-
ture exhibition, in the Park of Scolacium, that since
2005 marks the summers of Calabria. The MARCA,
promoter of artistic events of national and internatio-
nal level, wants to be a place of cultural production
facilitating the dialogue among the different arts. Its
Picture Gallery and its Plaster Casts Gallery house a
remarkable historical and artistic heritage: from An-
tonello de Saliba to Salvator Rosa, from Francesco
Jerace to Andrea Cefaly.
The MARCA, despite its recent institution, has ho-
sted international artists such as Antoni Tapies, Alex
Katz, Alessandro Mendini and collective exhibitions
such as Community and Berlinottanta.
The collaboration with Mimmo Rotella foundation has
been very significant.
The MARCA Underground, at last, is responsible for
testing new languages, highlighting the research of
the most interesting young artists on a national and
international level.
The museum’s location allows you to benefit, from
the reading room, from the spectacular view of the
Viaduct “Bisantis”.
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COSenzA And the OPen AIr MuSeuM
Known as the “city of Bruttii” (Città dei Bruzi), it is one
of the oldest cities in the region, head of a metropo-
litan area of about 269,000 inhabitants.
Its origins date back to the 4th century BC, when the
whole area of the Valley of Crati was considered stra-
tegic by the Bruttii. Subdued by the Romans, who
turns it into a strategic stopover on the Via Capua-
Rhegium, the Roman Via Popilia, the city, once a mili-
tary centre, becomes a relevant business centre. It is
said that Alaric, king of the Visigoths, suddenly dead
after the sack of Rome, was buried in the bed of the
Busento River. Dominated by the Longobards and by
the Byzantines, fought over by the Saracens, and the
Longobards, Swabians’ dukedom and favourite city
of Frederick II, residence of King Louis III of Anjou,
the capital of Calabria Citra Naethum, conquered by
the Spaniards in the sixteenth century it became an
outstanding centre of humanistic flowering , called
the Athens of Calabria. The Accademia Cosentina
Cosenza
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“Towns with ancient hearts but also with vivid culture and works
from modern artists”
was the second of the Kingdom of Naples and one
of the first in Europe. Austrian dominion until the
war between the House of Bourbon and the French,
it takes part in the liberal and patriotic movements
of 1844; the Brothers Bandiera, rushed to help the
“Calabrian brothers”, are captured and shot in the
Vallone di Rovito.
In October 2008 it was recognized Art City by the
Region of Calabria with a resolution that highlighted
its historical and artistic heritage and recognized its
touristic value. The old town is one of the most beau-
tiful and interesting in Italy not only for its extent, but
above all for the abundance of religious sites, such
as the Cathedral, which houses the “Madonna del
Pilerio”, from the greek puleros-warden, Patron pro-
tector of the city, and for its prestigious monumental
buildings.
On one of its seven hills stands the Swabian Castle,
the imposing fortress, stronghold of Frederick II, all
surrounded by the buildings of the old town, a char-
ming maze of narrow streets and staircases.
In the pedestrian precinct, the central Corso Mazzi-
ni, the nerve centre of the town, there is the MAB-
Open-air Museum “Bilotti”. The museum houses im-
portant sculptures different in style and epoch and
created by different artists. Among them the open-air
works by Giorgio De Chirico, Giacomo Manzù, Salva-
dor Dalì, Mimmo Rotella.
the ByzAntIne rOSSAnO
Where: Rossano (CS)
Rossano was one of the main Byzantine centres in
Calabria. This is testified by the Madonna Acheropita,
by tradition this word means “not painted by human-
hand”, the 12th century Church of Panaghia and the
little Church of St. Mark, the oldest monument in
the city, one of the best preserved Byzantine chur-
ches in Italy. It was built on the initiative of St. Nilus
as an ascetic retreat for the hermit monks who lived
in ancient rocky settlements below. The real treasu-
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re of Rossano is the Codex Purpureus Rossanensis,
Greek Gospels of Middle Eastern or Alexandrian ori-
gin dating back to the fifth-sixth century, brought to
Rossano by a monk fleeing from the East because
of the Arab invasion (9th- 10th century). Consisting
of 188 parchment sheets containing the Gospels of
Matthew and Mark and a letter by Eusebius to Carpia-
no, the manuscript, mutilated and anonymous, con-
tains texts penned in gold and silver; it is decorated
with 15 miniatures that illustrate the most significant
moments of Jesus’ life and preaching. Norman do-
mination failed to undermine the Greek-Byzantine
tradition of the city that was so deep-rooted thanks
to the work of St. Nilus and St. Bartholomew from
Simeri, founder of the famous Abbey of Santa Maria
del Pathire, flourishing centre of the amanuenses’ art
practiced also in other monasteries of the city, as evi-
denced by the presence of different codices.
PAOlA And the MOnAStery
OF St. FrAnCIS
Where: Paola(CS)
The Sanctuary of St. Francis from Paola is one of
the most important places of worship in Italy and it
is located on the hills of Paola, near the stream Isca
and next to the monastery founded by the Saint in
1435. The monastery has two long wings, one built
on a deep gorge, the other following the line of the
mountain. It shows interesting architectural details;
the Gothic portal and the cloister reveal the severe
and simple character of the monuments in Calabria.
A large square, from which you can admire the co-
ast and the town below, lies in front of the solemn
and elegant church, whose façade in tufaceous stone
is characterized by two overlapping orders. The en-
trance arch opens at the bottom, among pilasters and
columns; the central balcony with its round arch lies
at the top, flanked by two small rectangular windows.
You can plainly observe the Renaissance shapes at
the bottom and the baroque ones at the top.
the CIvIC MuSeuM OF tAvernA
And MAttIA PretI
Where : Taverna(CS)
The museum is housed in the former convent of the
Dominicans – 15th century - and is divided into two
sectors. In sector A, from 17th to 19th century, it ex-
poses Our Lady of Angels, a sketch for the frescoes
of S. Biagio in Modena and the drawing of the Ec-
stasy of St. Peter Celestine, by Mattia Preti. Sector B,
dedicated to contemporary art, shows some works
by Ercole Dei, Mimmo Rotella, Angelo Savelli France-
sco Guerrieri and Lia Drei. One cannot but pay a visit
also to the rooms dedicated to ligneous art, to textile
handworks and to graphic works. The Picture Galle-
ry Mattia Preti is part of the museum and it is hou-
sed inside the monumental church of St. Dominic,
which exhibits works by Mattia Preti (1613-1699),
the Cavalier Calabrese, and by his brother Gregory
(1603-1672) born in Taverna. Among the works by
Mattia Preti there is the Fulminating Christ and the
Preaching of St. John the Baptist with self-portrait.
the CIvIC MuSeuM OF
COnteMPOrAry Art
SIlvIO vIGlIAturO
Where: Acri(CS)
A majestic building of the eighteenth century, thirty
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San Giovanni in Fiore
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rooms, three thousand square metres of exhibition
space: these are the numbers of MACA - Museum of
Contemporary Art in Acri - that was opened in June
2006 in the rooms of Palazzo Sanseverino Falcone. It’s
the product of a courageous and ambitious project:
giving to Calabria an important space for contempo-
rary art. A museum with two souls: treasure chest for
the works by Silvio Vigliaturo and exhibition centre,
art workshop, a meeting place for visitors, artists and
art critics. The MACA houses at present in its eleven
rooms two hundred thirty-seven works by Vigliaturo
that represent an important heritage, and are also a
significant return to his homeland, to its landscapes,
sensations and colours. These works are the result
of a selection of Vigliaturo’s production from 1961
till today and mark the milestones of his artistic re-
search, from the beginning until the more refined
elaboration of the glass-fusion technique.
SAn GIOvAnnI In FIOre ABBey
(ABBAzIA FlOrenSe)
Where: San Giovanni in Fiore (CS)
Among the major religious buildings in Calabria for
the impressiveness of the whole abbey complex, the
beautiful Abbazia Florense stands in the old town of
San Giovanni in Fiore, a locality in Sila rich in art and
history. Together with the adjacent monastery, the
Abbey was built between 1189 and 1198 and it was
wanted by the abbot Gioacchino da Fiore, founder of
the Florense order, who reached this place in search
of a new source of spirituality. Despite the various
changes it underwent over the different centuries,
the complex preserves the severe austerity of the
Romanesque style. Some stylistic devices make it the
best example of Florense architecture in Italy.
the hIStOrIC MuSeuM
OF the MInIerA dI SAlGeMMA
(SAlt-MIne)
Where: Lungro,(CS)
It was one of the oldest industrial sites in Calabria;
known since the time of Pliny the Elder, when large
amounts of salt were produced. The salt workers, for-
ged in the bowels of the earth, with their strong libe-
ral convictions, fought in the struggles of the Risorgi-
mento and had an active part in the historical popular
uprisings of 1903. The Museum that is now in the hi-
storic Martino Palace, occupies 9 rooms in which we
find 180 drawings, some of which are of the first half
of 800, typical objects, old photographs portraying
the salt-workers at their work, maps of geological
and mineral interest. The pride of the museum is the
hall of the historical archive that preserves more than
220 folders, material partly gathered in the mine and
partly provided by the Archive of State of Cosenza.
the ethnIC MuSeuM
OF ArBreSh Culture
Where: Civita (CS)
It was founded in 1989 with the aim of promoting
and protecting the Albanian language and culture. It
represents an open book on Arberia, it is a meeting
place fostering cultural exchanges, and head-office
of the oldest periodical of Arberia “Katundi yne” (Our
country) founded in 1970.
Centre FOr InterPretAtIOn
OF the eCO-MuSeuM OF rAGAnellO
heritage Interpretation Centre
Where: Civita (CS)
The Interpretation Center was created to give value
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Serra San Bruno
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to the landscape and culture of the Valley of Raga-
nello, an environmental resource of exceptional be-
auty where in 2007 five municipalities gave birth to
the Eco-museum of Raganello. They are Alexandria
del Carretto, Cerchiara di Calabria, Civita, Franca-
villa Marittima and San Lorenzo Bellizzi, suggestive
mountain centres in the Calabrian side of the Pollino
Park, that through their landscapes and their people’s
memories tell their experiences and lives through the
Ecomuseum. The Interpretation Centre is therefore
a place that documents the territory and recovers its
stories and its knowledge, by promoting participatory
processes for a new culture of firm. an independent
entry .Not far away from the Charter house there’s
a “miracle lake “in an area surrounded by the green
wood .Tradition says that San Bruno would enter in
this lake in penitence, and today right in the middle
there is a statue of the Saint kneeling.
the ChArterhOuSe
OF SerrA SAn BrunO
Where: Serra San Bruno, VV
Founded between 1090 and 1101 by Bruno of Co-
logne, the Charterhouse was the first Carthusian mo-
nastery in Italy and the second of the entire Order.
Originally built in the Gothic style, it was restored
by Palladio at the end of the 500, subject to further
changes in the 16th and 17th century, destroyed by
an earthquake in 1783, it was entirely rebuilt at the
end of 800. Of the original structure we only have
the remains of the boundary wall on a quadrilateral
foundation and with cylinder keeps, the ruins of the
renaissance façade of the church, great part of the
lower order, the seventeenth-century cloister, the
baroque fountain and the old cemetery of the Car-
thusian monks.
Surviving remnants of the original walls of the fifte-
enth century with a square corner cylindrical towers,
the ruins of the Renaissance facade of the Church,
much of the lower order, the seventeenth-century
cloister, baroque fountain and the old cemetery of
the Carthusians. To meet the needs of pilgrims and
tourists a museum has been set up in the Charterhou-
se, in a wing accessible through a separate entrance.
Not far away from the Charterhouse, plunged into a
picturesque landscape dominated by green woods,
there is the “lake of miracles” in whose waters, as
tradition says, St. Bruno went to do penance. Today it
houses a statue of the kneeling saint.
the “CAttOlICA” OF StIlO
Where: Stilo (RC)
Subjected to the empire of Byzantium until the ele-
venth century, Calabria still preserves many exam-
ples of oriental art. One of the most valuable is the
Cattolica that since the ninth century dominates the
valley of the stream Stilaro, the Byzantine Valley, rich
in architectural remains. The Cattolica, a true exam-
ple of sacred Byzantine architecture in the region,
among the best examples of it in Italy, was the Cathe-
dral of the town and it was governed by a permanent
vicar, succeeded to the Protopope of the Byzantine
era, which had right of burial in it; here, together
with a valuable ring, human remains were found. The
name Cattolica, katholiki, rated it among the “privi-
leged churches” because they had a baptistery. The
cube-shaped building, made with a special mix of
large bricks joined by mortar, has no outside decora-
tions. Only the little domes are covered with square
tiles arranged in a diamond-shaped brick. The parti-
118
cular location of the sources of light, despite its size,
highlights the beauty of the frescoes that can still be
seen. The presence of Arabic inscriptions tells us that
it was probably used for Muslim worship. The Arabs,
that used to destroy and pillage everything they con-
quered, did not destroy the Cattolica; perhaps be-
cause they were attracted by its beauty and its collo-
cation – mostly laid down on the naked rock.
Since 2006 it is on the list together with 7 other Basi-
lian-Byzantine sites in Calabria for the recognition of
World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
the nAtIOnAl MuSeuM
OF MAGnA GrAeCIA
Where: Reggio Calabria
The National Museum of Magna Graecia in Reggio
is one of the most famous in the world. It was in-
stituted by the archeologist Paolo Orsi, who wanted
the placement and collection of all Calabrian findings
in the prestigious monumental building designed by
Marcello Piacentini and located in Piazza De Nava.
The museum, spread over 4 floors, is divided into
several sections: the prehistoric and protohistoric
collection, the Locri section, the section dedicated
to the Greek colonies in Calabria, the numismatic
section. The underwater archaeology section hou-
ses since 1981 the Riace bronzes ( the “Bronzi di
Riace”), precious testimonies of Greek sculpture in
bronze of the 5th century BC, as well as the Philo-
sopher’s Head of Porticello, foundin a wreck in the
depths of the sea in the area of Porticello of Villa San
Giovanni. It houses also the outstanding finds from
the archaeological sites of Basilicata and Sicily that
illustrate the art and history of Magna Graecia from
the 8th century BC and the material of both earlier
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Catanzaro
and later periods.
Among the most significant materials:
The Bronzi di Riace: found in excellent condition, the
two great original Greek statues dating from the mid-
5th century BC could represent, according to recent
research, Tydeus and Amphiaraus or Eteocles and
Polynices of the Seven against Thebes.
The Philosopher’s head: found in Porticello near Reg-
gio, is a rare example of Greek portraiture.
Kouros of Reggio is a small marble statue, perhaps
a victorious athlete, exposed during the XX Olympic
Winter Games.
Marble head of Apollo Aleus, from Cirò
Group of the Dioscuri coming down from their horse
in the battle of the Sagra, from Locri Epizephyrii.
Bronze tablets, from the archives of the temple of
Zeus in Locri Epizephyrii
Collections of pinakes, votive terracotta offerings
bearing in relief scenes of the rape of Persephone,
coming from Locri Epizephyrii
Collections of jewels, bronze mirrors and medals.
The Museum’s collection temporarily includes also
works of 700s-900s, the collection of Domenico Ge-
noese and Monsolino, Lavagna, De Blasio and woo-
den tablets by Antonello da Messina.
SAntA BArBArA PArK MuSeuM
Where: Mammola (RC)
Contemporary Calabrian art has its pulsating centre
in Mammola. The Basilian monastery of St. Fantino
De Pretoriate, today Santa Barbara, has been tur-
ned into the Santa Barbara Park Museum by Nick
Spatari, painter, sculptor, architect and craftsman
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of international renown, collaborator of Charles-
Edouard Jeanneret, known as Le Corbusier, one of
the greatest architects of the twentieth century. The
museum, 2 km away from the town of Mammola, is
today the base of the “Santa Barbara Art Foundation”
created by Spatari and by his wife Hiske Maas, and
it is a destination for international artists who along
the slopes of the hill nearby realize works to enrich
the Museum’s collection. On the vault of the former
chapel of the monastery, Spatari realized “Il Sogno
di Giacobbe” (Jacob’s Dream), an enormous three-
dimensional painting.
CrOtOne
Founded by the Greeks in the 6th century BC on an
existing native settlement, it was one of the most im-
portant cities of Magna Graecia.
As the legend says, its name derives from Kroton, son
of Aeacus, who was accidentally killed by his friend
Heracles that, to amend his mistake and honour him,
built the city on the banks of the river Esaro, next to
his tomb. Another legend tells that the name Kroton
derives from the name of Alcinous’ brother, king of
the Phaeacians.
Famous for its climate, the beauty of its women and
the strength of his men overcame every other city in
the Olympic games. Milone is his most famous and
celebrated Olympic champion, known as its doctors
Democedes and Alcmaeon who transformed conta-
minated medicine from magic and superstition into
science.
It became the homeland of the philosopher-mathe-
matician Pythagoras, who founded there his famous
school. The rivalry between Crotone and Sybaris was
due to commercial and religious reasons, rather than
to the legendary attempted kidnapping of a beautiful
vestal by three nobles from Crotone, and it led to the
battle of Nika that marked the end of Sybaris.
The old town is a maze of narrow alleys and little
squares. Here there are different interesting places:
the Cathedral built in the 11th century and the Castle,
in a panoramic position above the area of the Greek
acropolis, built in 1541 by the Viceroy Pedro of Tole-
do to defend the coast from the attacks of the Turks;
it houses the Civic Museum and the Library. In the
square in front of the Castle there are the nineteenth-
century Palazzo Morelli and the eighteenth century
Palazzo Barraco.
Pythagoras Square is the point of contact between
the old city and the new.
The province of Crotone with its historical landsca-
pes recall in its entirety the Magna Graecia. Capo Co-
lonna, the promontory where the majestic temple of
Hera Lacinia was erected – today only one column
of the whole temple survives - is the place where the
sanctuary of Madonna di Capo Colonna is located.
“Different facets of a worldto be discovered in a single region”
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Crotone
Vibo Valentia
Continuing along the coast one meets the beautiful
massive Spanish fortification of Le Castella of Isola
Capo Rizzuto. In the province of Crotone, particularly
rich in cultural heritage, there are other places not to
be missed: the village of Santa Severina, the medieval
Caccuri and Mesoraca with its beautiful convent of
Ecce Homo.
In Ciro Marina, a seaside resort which gives its name
to the famous wine, you can visit the remains of a
Greek temple dedicated to the greek god Apollo
Aleus and the Castle.
vIBO vAlentIA
The ancient Greek-Roman Hipponion is, together
with Crotone, one of two new provinces of Calabria.
From its heights you can clearly see the port, from
which you can easily and quickly reach the Aeolian
Islands and the Gulf of Sant’ Eufemia.
Main sights:
The Norman-Swabian Castle, built by Ruggero the
Norman around 1070 and where it is possible to vi-
sit the State Archaeological Museum which houses
many archaeological finds dating between the end of
the 7th century BC and the 2nd BC.
The cathedral in Baroque style, built between 1680
and 1723, is dedicated to the Patron Saint Leoluca.
The beautiful bronze doors- by the Calabrian artist
Niglia-tell the historical events of the city; on the
eighteenth-century high altar you can see the “Ma-
donna of the Snow” and the marble triptych of the
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sixteenth century by Antonello Ga-
gini. The ruins of the Greek city,
just outside the town, retain parts
of the imposing walls of the sixth
and fifth centuries BC.
Tropea, the pearl of tourism of the
province, is famous all over the
world; it is an interesting old town
with its palaces of the ‘700s and
‘800s perched on the cliff overloo-
king the beach. It shows interesting
portals of prestigious abodes often
endowed with large tanks dug into
the rock and used to collect the grain
that from Monte Poro, loaded through clay
pipes on ships moored under the cliff of Tropea,
followed the trade routes of the Mediterranean. You
can visit the private museum of the ancient crafts of
Calabria and of the automatic machines.
Pizzo is famous for its picturesque old town and the
traditional “tartufo” (famous Italian ice-cream des-
sert). In the castle, Aragonese testimony of the 15th
century, was held prisoner before his execution Joa-
chim Murat, King of Naples and brother in law of Na-
poleon Bonaparte. Shot on 13th October, after the
trial that was held in the main hall of the castle, he was
then buried in the church of San Giorgio. The Murat
Castle is also the seat of the Provincial Museum. Ser-
ra San Bruno is another charming town with a strong
Benedictine presence of cultural and historical rele-
vance. Chosen by Brunone of Cologne, San Bruno,
as a place of prayer and silence, is the seat of the
Charterhouse and of the homonimous Museum that
chronicles the life of the saint and of the Carthusian
monks, the history and culture of the place.
reGGIO CAlABrIA
Rhegion, founded toward the mid-eighth century BC
by colonists from Chalcis, in 89 BC it became a Ro-
man municipium, residence of the governor of Luca-
nia and Bruttium. St. Paul stopped there during one
of his travels. Sacked by the Visigoths of Alaric, By-
zantines’ dominion, repeatedly attacked by the Arabs
of Sicily, conquered by the Normans of Robert Gui-
scard, it passed in 1502 from the Aragonese Alfonso
the Magnanimous to the king of Spain, Ferdinand
the Catholic. It was sacked by the Turkish comman-
der Khayr al-Din and by Scipione Sinan Cicala and
it knew an economic revival under the government
of the Bourbons. Marked by tragic events, the pla-
gue of 1743 and the earthquake of 1783, returned
to the Bourbons in 1814 it was conquered by Ga-
ribaldi’s followers (Garibaldini) in August 21, 1860.
The earthquake and seaquake of 1908 devastated it.
Once rebuilt it became the Great
Reggio with the unification
of 14 surrounding muni-
cipalities by the podestà
Giuseppe Genoese-
Zerbi.
Main sights:
the National Archae-
ological Museum, fa-
mous in the world for
the “Riace Bronzes”, now
a symbol of the city; the
Cathedral, the largest
one in the region, repre-
senting both the Gothic
and the Romanesque style
although it was rebuilt after
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the destruction of the earthquake of 1908. Inside the
Cathedral there is the particularly beautiful and inte-
resting “Chapel of the Sacrament” of the 16th cen-
tury, an example of the baroque of Reggio Calabria.
Not to be missed in the province:
Scylla, rich in history and legend, one of the most
beautiful villages in Italy, with its magnificent castle
of the Ruffo and the Chianalea, is nicknamed “Little
Venice”. Pentedattilo, an ancient ghost town from the
characteristic shape that resembles a gigantic hand
with five fingers and hence the name, it represents
a regular step of the travelling festival Paleariza, an
important event in the Grecian culture . It houses
between August and September the Pentedattilo Film
Festival, an international event of short films, a magi-
cal fusion of cinema and territory.
Gerace is rich in architectural treasures, the great By-
zantine Cathedral and its dwellings carved into the
tuff where still today you can see experienced potters
at work, intent on shaping the clay according to the
ancient Greek style.
The sumptuous elegant palaces with stone portals
worked by local stonemasons.
A few kilometers from Reggio, in Bova, Bova Marina,
Roghudi, Condofuri, Roccaforte del Greco and Gal-
licianò, Stilo and Bivongi survives one of the most
interesting Calabrian and national anthropological
phenomena: the Grecian culture. Notable symbols of
it are: the Cattolica of Stilo, a little Byzantine church
unique in the world; in Bivongi, the renewed presen-
ce of greek orthodox monks in the monastery of St.
John Therestis.
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Calabria land of hospitality and warmth is not only famous for its coasts ,its crystal
beaches but its also famous for its century Wine gastronomy culture thanks to all the
people (Greeks, romans, normans , Arabs, Angioini, Barboni, Spanish, French) that
lived in the extreme south of Italy. each one of these has left a trace in the Calabrian
Food tradition; to testify this is the use of different spices and herbs like cinnamon, clo-
ves, nutmeg, wild fennel ,mint, hot chilli pepper, pastries prepared with honey and the
tradition to work and conserve meat.
WIne And FOOdGAStrOnOMy
“A melting pot of traditional food havingits origin in popultations of invaders making
the Calabria food an unicum”
COld CutS : SAlAMIS
Salamis in Calabria represents the dominant and
fundamental subject in its Gastronomy. In the Cala-
brian rural culture the “Norcina tradition” dates up
to the period Magna Graecia. In this region , once
again, it’s the wisdom of the people that are able
to extract benefit from meat and pork. Though pigs
don’t need special care it is owned even by the
poor people . Considering the point that tradition
wants that nothing goes lost of this animal. the abi-
lity of the people is that even the bones can give
something tasty. From these they obtain the jelly
and not long ago even the blood was transformed
into a sort of cream with nuts, sultana and pieces of
chocolate and used on bread as peanut butter.
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SOPreSSAtA, SAlSICCe (SAuSAGeS)
CAPOCOllO
Amongst the Calabrian products the most typical
ones are the salumis, like the classic sopressata. Hi-
story gives the origins of this tradition back to time of
the Greek Colonization along the Ionian Coasts and
the cultural and artistic influence of Magna Graecia
. We take note of the breed of the black pork, an
animal of noble origins that is now very popular in
Calabria and that gives high quality salumis.
lA ‘ndujA
This product called Nduja is one of the famous, Ca-
labrian typical food products It’s a soft sausage very
chilli ,that you can spread. IT ‘s produced especially
in Spilinga (VV) but there are a lot of imitation of this
product and the quality is not the less in the whole re-
gion. It’s prepared with the parts of fat of the pig and
Calabrian hot chilli peppers and stuffed in bowels to
then smoked. It’s is used on toasted bread better if
hot or used in tomato sauce with garlic ; on pizzas
before the other ingredients if raw or after cooked;
on slices of cheese and in omelettes.
Il MOrzellO
The Morzello (u’ morzeddhu) in Catanzaro dialect
is the authentic Calabrian Dish known by many and
unique in its taste, made from the insides of beef and
cooked in tomato sauce . The origins are to search
in the province of Catanzaro among the people of
Catanzaro, Tiriolo and Taverna even if the name of
this dish derives from the Spanish word “al muerzo”.
It’s prepared with the Catanzaro typical bread shaped
as a doughnut and it has to be divided into big pie-
ces and put into the Morzello. The real Morzello of
Catanzaro has to be eaten very chilli. The tradition
wants that it is eaten round 10.30 in the morning, the
time it was cooked in the “putiche” shops of the city.
OlIve OIl
In Calabria the olive plantation dates back to the Gre-
ek period 8th-7th century B.C.. when it arrived here
from Asia Minor .But all the merits of its use and pre-
paration goes to the Romans. Evergreen and long-
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lasting trees with their silver-green colour give a par-
ticular site to the landscapes of the agricultural area.
Their plantation are adaptable even on inaccessible
areas. The olives are picked up round October / No-
vember before the sowing . It can be done by hand,
machines or by putting nets under the tree where the
olives fall on their own. Thanks to these experiences
that Calabria is at the top of the list as best producers
of Italian Oil.
the “dOP” CAlABrIAn OIl
In Calabria there are 3 “DOP” oils : Bruzio, Lame-
tia, Alto Crotonese each with different characteristi-
cs and controlled by specific disciplinary. The most
interested areas for this plantation is in the region of
Cosenza, Lamezia, and Reggio (especially Gioia Tauro
and Locri).In the region of Cosenza the most com-
mon are : Carolea, Coratina, La Tondina and Ottobra-
tica. Gioia Tauro is known for its century “Giants” that
are 20 meters tall.Here we also find a wide number
of varieties that form the “The Olive Woods “ : Ot-
tobratico, Sinopolese, Roggianella, Leccino.In Locri
where the plantations are cultivated in low areas, we
obtain high quality oil like Gerace (or Grossa di Ge-
race)and Nocellara. Oil is considered unquestionable
head and fundamental component of the Mediter-
ranean Diet Gastronomy, used with both cooked or
raw food.
hOMeMAde BreAd
The Calabrian Homemade Bread is a Calabrian spe-
ciality .Prepared with meticulous cure in choosing the
quality of the products and obtaining a fragrant genu-
ine and tasty bread. The particularity is long baking
time . The tradition wants that the housewives make
the bread and leave it to leaven all through the night
under woollen blankets. Then they would get up ear-
ly in the morning to prepare the oven with wood to
127
burn for one hour to reach the necessary climate
for the baking of the bread. Still today many bakeries
maintain the ancient method to produce bread.
The “Cuti” bread genuine and traditional as in the
past comes in 1 or 2 kg Cooked in oven with wood
and leaven naturally.
The “Pizzata di Nardodipace (flat bread with chilli
pepper);the wheat biscuit of Reggio Calabria ( a sort
of “frisella”)
The bread of Cerchiara di Calabria is a sort of f phe-
nomenon just for its dimension 2 to 3 kilos , round
shaped with a side higher called “rasella” because of
the pastry . the bread rests in big boxes of wood to
be baked at 300degrees in ovens heated with woods
of chestnuts and beech. The “Jermanu” rye bread
variety, that can weigh from 500gr to 1.5kg with a
brown crumbly crust and a white crumb. The bread
of fennel seeds of Serra San Bruno; the wheat bread
of Mangone (CS)
TRADITIONAL DEMONSTRATIONS
Festival of the hot local bread: First weekend of Au-
gust at San Lorenzo (RC)
Festival of the bread: First Saturday of August at Ba-
gnara Calabra
Festival of “Frigia” :Montebello Ionico (RC)
Big Bread Feast :Altomonte (CS)
MuShrOOMS
THE MUSHROOMS OF THE SILA
Among the mountains and highlands of the Sila (from
Cecita Lake in Ampollino, from Fossiata to Mancu-
so Village,from Camigliatello to Palumbo Sila , from
Bocchigliero to Petrona’)it’s a continuous following
of woods rich of fir and pine trees, lakes and pasture
The mild climate of the summer and autumn sea-
sons and the presence of the lakes create the right
humidity, help the growth of more than 3000 species
of mushrooms. This natural resource covers great
importance for satisfaction of the researchers as well
as the economic value important for good part of the
mountain people. Territories rich of mushrooms are
Sila , Le Serre, but really the entire Calabria, in the
128
high area and also those 100meter sea level.
Traditional Demonstrations
Mushroom Festival : IN November at San Giovanni in
Fiore (CS) and Savelli (KR)
Edible Mushroom and Mountain Products Festival
:Last weekend of October at Mammola (RC)
THE MUSSHROOMS OF SERRA SAN BRUNO
Typical genuine product of the Vibones Serre. Picked
all year round in huge quantity. High gastronomy value
are the Edible and “Ovulo” mushrooms that you find in
almost all the dishes fresh or in oil or salt. the economy
of this area is pointing high for this product trying to
bring sell it not only in the nation but also abroad.
the eSSenCeS
hot chilli Pepper
At the end of 17th century a lot of foreign travellers that
visited Calabria wrote of the use of this pepper in food
and thought that this little fruit was imported here by
the “Saraceni”. Anyway the people of Calabria from the
start appreciated its quality as disinfectant, the presu-
mable aphrodisiac power and of long-life, but above all
it’s used to preserve food, especially meet. The plant is
easy to cultivate and in Calabria almost all the families
have one at home or on their balcony ready to use.
The Calabrian Hot Chilli Pepper is red horn shaped and
is sent all over the world for its high aromatic and the-
rapeutic quality and not only. Diamante is the “City” of
the Peperoncino and where every year has an impor-
tant demonstration for it called “Peperoncino Festival”
liquorice
Liquorice in Italy finds its location exclusively in the Ca-
labrian Region where about 80% is of national produc-
tion, mainly from the coast of Calabria the area of tran-
sformation is Rossano and Corigliano. With the help
of the Duke of Corigliano, that built the first factory of
this kind in 1715,in the period of industrialization, li-
quorice became a real fountain of economic progress.
In 1800 the industry continue to develop, conquering,
thanks to its genuine product, Europe and America.
The exportation of Calabria Liquorice settled and be-
came stronger in the second half of 19th century and
then in the beginning of the 20th .Its used in different
industrial sectors (especially in Pastries) for the pro-
duction of sweets ,tablets, sticks , herb tea ,syrups and
liquorice liquor. In Rossano we find the Museum and
Factory of the Liquorice Amarelli.
CheeSe
Sheep’s milk cheese of Monte Poro
Already in the list of the Traditional Calabrian Produc-
tions, the sheep milk cheese of Monte Poro repre-
sents today one of the most request cheese of the
regional territory. A cheese that distinguishes itself
129
for the flavour considered the best of South Italy
Sheep’s milk cheese of Crotone
Among the cheese of sheep milk made in Calabria,
the “Pecorino Crotonese is surely the most common
and known out of the regional board-line. Produced
in the province of Crotone in the town of Cutro, Isola
Capo Rizzuto, Strongoli and Crotone itself, where we
find plenty dairies. The Calabrian Association of she-
ep and goat producers, have as fundamental aim that
to give value and promote Crotonese typical cheese
and to let know the history, tradition, and culture of
the territory. For this reason the “A.P.O.C.C.” is pro-
tagonist of the acknowledgement of the “DOP” de-
nomination protected origin of the European Union.
Caciocavallo Silano(Italian Cheese)
The Caciocavallo Silano (DOP) is an ancient cheese
semi hard produced in the south of Italy with calf
milk. The name probably derives from the shape of
this cheese that looks like a horse if turned flat. The
name Silano derives from the Calabrian highlands of
the Sila one of the areas where it’s produced. Nowa-
days the area of production has spread throughout
the territory, Catanzaro, Cosenza, Vibo, Crotone.
veGetABleS And leGuMeS
Belmonte tomato
This vegetable protected by the mark De.CO, is di-
stinguished from the others for its shape ,colour,
and size and for its organolettic properties .For what
concerns the history of this “giant” It’s possible to
think that once imported from America in 1800 the
product changed its characteristics because of the
territory where it had been planted . We really can
divide it in two species : the first Ox Heart ”Cuore
di Bue” weighs 400-800gr and has the shape of a
heart. The second called “Giant” is more circular and
its weight can reach 2kg.
the red Onion
In the territory of Capo Vaticano- Ricadi,a great num-
ber of agricultural farms plant and sell the famous “Ci-
130
polle Rosse di Tropea” that are sold even overseas,
usually named Tropea as the most important centre
and where they were sent from by train or ship. On
the promontory of Capo Vaticano this bulb has found
the right climate, in fact, its sweetness depends on
this :mild climate, sandy grounds near the sea on the
Calabrian Tyrrhenian Coast. The technique of manu-
facturing of the onion are hand down from genera-
tion to generation. All the cultural activities are done
by hand. The red onion of Tropea is protected by
the trademark IGP “Geografic Indication Protection”
(CEE) with the following indication Cipolla Rossa di
Tropea Calabria I.G.P., thanks to the petition presen-
ted by the Accademy Tutela Cipolla Rossa di Tropea.
Potato of the Sila
The potato of the Sila is one of the varieties of the po-
tatoes growing in Sila, Calabria It’s registered in the list
of the mountain products. The principle “organolettic”
characteristics of this potato is to have a higher percen-
tage of starch. That makes it more nourishing and sweet
compared to the other potatoes. To insure this quality
is the area where it grows,1000meters sea level, that
gives it taste and the characteristic to need more time
for the cooking.
-At Camigliatello Silano, from 1978,in the month of
October “Potato della Sila Festival”
-At Parenti,from 1980, last Sunday of August “Fol-
koristic-Gastronomy Demonstration on the Potato
della Sila”
the Beans of Caria
This product is cultivated in Vibo for centuries ,in the
territory of Caria and Zacconapoli,after World War
the cultivation has increased and in the 80s it started
decreasing. The bean of Caria owes its quality to the
way its cultivated as well as to the techniques of pro-
duction that has remained the same as the past. The
particular micro-climate of the area of Poro at more
o less 700 meters sea level gives higher quality to
this product compared to beans cultivated in other
areas .For over 30 years in the town of Caria , on the
hills of Tropea, there’s “Sagra della Surjaca” : Bean
Festival ,with lots of visitors and tourists.
CItruS FruIt And FruIt
Clementine of Calabria IGP
The Clementine is a cross between a mandarin and
a sour orange. It is cultivated in Italy since 1940 and
have found in the land of Calabria their Ideal habitat.
They’re produced especially in the plane land of Si-
bari (CS) ,in some areas of Lamezia, in the province
of Reggio Calabria , Rosarno and also in some places
near Locri. Typical Calabrian product with the trade-
mark that guarantees
131
Control and quality : IGP “Clementine di Calabria”
the Cedar
The Cedar represents for Calabria one of those pro-
ducts that guarantees vital income to this territory.
A citrus fruit that has a relevant position in the eco-
nomy of several towns in Calabria that are part of the
area called “Riviera dei Cedri” :Coast of Cedars, in
the area of the Tyrrhenian Coast (CS) that leads from
Diamante to Tortora ;with in the centre Santa Maria
del Cedro, where this fruit spontaneously grows. Ce-
dar is used in the Food industry for the preparation
of soft drinks but the main part is used in the phar-
maceutical Industry to obtain the essential oil. During
the summer season the is a Festival dedicated to this
fruit at Diamante and Santa Maria del Cedro.
the Bergamot
The Bergamot is a fruit cultivated on the Ionian side
of the province of Reggio Calabria. The work to ex-
tract the essential oil “DOP” is done at the same pla-
ce of production of 4.860 tones of essence. In Cala-
bria the industry to transform the Bergamot occupies
an important level, considering the fact that no other
area permits its cultivation. The essential oil is pro-
duced along the coast between Villa San Giovanni
and Gioiosa Jonica ,between the Ionian Sea and the
Tyrrhenian Sea ,towns in the province of Reggio Ca-
labria and occupies 6,3% of the citrus tree cultivation
in Calabria. Reggio Calabria has dedicated a museum
to this fruit.
the Fig
Going down the sea towards south ,after coming
across one of the most important fishing harbour of
the region :Cetraro ,here we are in territory with ano-
ther important citrus tree ,the fig . the fig is very im-
portant here for its fruit called “Dottato” of Cosenza,
considered the best in the world for making pastries.
132
Since 1100 its qualities were discovered by Gioac-
chino da Fiore, a monk preacher whom inspired the
ideals of San Francesco and also in Dante Alighieri’s
poem ,collocating this fruit in Paradise. A simple re-
cipe is stuffing it with an almond and then dipped in
chocolate, or in oven and dipped in honey of fig, that
you get cooking the fresh figs for a long time, then
squeezing them and cooking it again. Another type of
preparation is the “Crocetta” crossing together two
figs stuffed with nuts.
FIShInG PrOduCtS
the Sword fish
The swordfish is a typical Calabrian esteemed dish
,fished and served in Reggio Calabria and in the pro-
vince especially at Villa San Giovanni, Palmi, Scilla,
and Bagnara Calabra being like this the tradition in
gastronomy. The fishing is very particular with the
traditional boats that have each one a typical name
like :Passerelle, Feluche, more often Spatare. The
swordfish is often reason to organize Festivals and
popular feasts during the summer season, especially
at Bagnara Calabra, in the province of Reggio Cala-
bria. It’s also fished in the north of Messina on the
opposite side of the strait.
the stockfish
Has its place of production at Mammola and its one
of the Italian traditional food product of the provin-
ce of Reggio Calabria : obtained by drying cods. It
was once considered food of the poor, as a matter
of fact the farmers would offer it to the land-workers
in hard days because it would give energy though
it was considered of high energetic value; still today
this tradition is kept alive. As a tradition is also to eat
this fish on Good Friday and Christmas Eve . From
1978 every year on 9th August at Borgo Antico di
Mammola there’s the Festival of the Swordfish coo-
ked in different ways and served in earthenware, ac-
companied by songs and folkloristic ballets.
Sardella
The principle specialty of Crucoli, in the province of
Crotone, known in all the region as the caviar of the
south or as the poor. A taste that joins both sea and
earth, obtained mixing together fish with hot chilli
pepper and herbs . Good on bread, sipping a glass
of red wine ,or just used to flavour pasta or eggs.
At Cir’ the ingredients used remain the same but the
fish isn’t cut up. The “sardella” of Trebisacce uses a
bigger fish and so it is more evident. There is also the
“Rosamarina” of Amantea, that looks more like the
“Caviar of Crucoli”. For its popularity there are Festi-
vals since 20 years ago in Crucoli every third Sunday
of August.
SWeetS
the “Buccunotti” of Mormanno
The “Bucconotto or Bucchinotto” in the local dialect
is a sweet in a round or oval shape filled with crum-
ble nuts and chocolate,or with jam. Its about 4cm
and weighs 100gr .Its very common in Cosenza but
mainly in Acri, Altomonte and Mormanno. It is usually
eaten in a bite and that’s the reason why of its name.
the “tartufo” (ice-cream)
The tartufo of Pizzo is an ancient product typical of
the Art pastry of Calabria. It’s an ice-cream handma-
de, semi-circle with liquid chocolate in the centre and
covered with chocolate powder. It’s called Tartufo for
its shape and colour. It’s a typical Handmade specia-
lity that for years is recalling a lot of visitors to satisfy
their palate We now can find it in all the areas of Ca-
133
labria, as well in other places of Italy
“Mostaccioli” of Soriano Calabro
The mostaccioli are traditional sweets of this place
but today you can find them in Calabria as well as
in Italy and overseas The origins are Greek It’s a dry
biscuit of flour and honey, (some even with wine)
and comes in different shapes sometimes even de-
corated with coloured paper
torrone of Bagnara
The confectioners of Bagnara are known for their cen-
tury tradition in making Torrone, handed down from
father to son since 1800. Made of almonds and honey,
ingredients of the zone. The cultivation of the almonds
was already done here by the Romans and spread in
the south of Italy. Its especially a Christmas sweet.
WIneS
Calabria once called “ENOTRIA” (land of wines) is
rich of wine with a typical Mediterranian taste.
Some vineyards are very ancient ,backing up to the
Greek colonies that brought them from their land
,started producing here and that today still continue
giving wine. The wine was offered to the winners of
the Olimpic games in ancient Greece while to the
God “Bacco” were dedicated Temples The people
of this region has been able to collect in the passing
of years experience of incalculable value in the ack-
nowledge and techniques of the vineyards. Still today
a characteristic is that every family has its own wine
produced with the traditional methods. Plenty busi-
ness point on the quality using scientific methods in
the phase of producing the wine . Thanks to expe-
rience of some leader ships of business after years of
experiments today we can say that we can count on
the high quality Today in Calabria the production is
134
of 12 wines with the trade mark DOC that are 20%
of the entire production. The surface of the area in-
terested is equal to 18thousand hectare 20% plane
land, 65% hills,15% mountain. On the Ionian coast
and the inner part ,up to the Sila, between Ciro’ and
Isola Capo Rizzuto we find Vineyards of “Gaglioppo”
the one used for the wine “Ciro’”. Further down south
near Bianco up to Aspromonte we find Greek vine-
yards . In the area of Lamezia we find the traditional
Grapes Nevello Mascalese that gives a special taste
to this type of wine.
Wine dOC
Bivongi in the provinces of Reggio Calabria and Ca-
tanzaro
Cirò in the province of Crotone
Donnici in the province of Cosenza
Greco di Bianco in the province of Reggio Calabria
Lamezia in the province of Catanzaro
Melissa in the province of Crotone
Pollino in the province of Cosenza
Sant’Anna di Isola Capo Rizzuto red and rosé in the
provinces of Crotone and Catanzaro
San Vito di Luzzi in the province of Cosenza
Savuto nelle province di Cosenza e Catanzaro
Scavigna in the province of Catanzaro
Verbicaro in the province of Cosenza
Wine IGt
Arghillà in the province of Reggio Calabria.
Calabria in the entire territory of Calabria.
Condoleo in the province of Cosenza.
Costa Viola in the province of Reggio Calabria.
Esaro in the province of Cosenza.
Lipuda in the province of Crotone.
Locride nella provincia di Reggio Calabria.
Palizzi in the province of Reggio Calabria.
Pellaro in the province of Reggio Calabria.
Scilla in the province of Reggio Calabria.
Val di Neto in the province of Crotone.
135
Valdamato in the province of Catanzaro.
Valle del Crati in the province of Cosenza.
CrAFtS
the Art OF WeAvInG
Among the different crafts products in Calabria we
find weaving at the very first place. It is still widespread
throughout the land with different peculiarities from
zone to zone. It is the crafts production that better
represents the various cultural ‘souls’ of the region.
In Longobucco, in the Greek Sila, in the province of
Cosenza, there exists a precious highly specialized
production of many kinds of tapestries and blankets
. In San Giovanni in Fiore carpets are interlaced using
an Armenian recently imported technique and fabri-
cs are embroidered using bobbins. In Ghorio di Ro-
ghudi still some broom blankets are produced and
its working process follows very ancient techniques;
in Staiti, Palizzi, Polistena and many other villages in
the province of Reggio and Catanzaro they produce
the ‘pezzare’, multicolored stripes fabrics obtained
by using textile waste back again. The ‘pezzare’ are
used like carpets or to decorate walls. In Tiriolo and
Badolato in the province of Catanzaro we find the
‘vancali’, typical shawls; in Caccuri in the province of
Crotone, wool blankets with traditional drawings; in
Cariati in the province of Cosenza, once again car-
pets and blankets with Arabian techniques. The today
textile crafts production inspired to Greek, Byzantine
and Arabian traditions is only a small part of the very
big Calabria factory in the field of weaving ,mainly silk
weaving.
Referring to the history of Calabria weaving ,we can
visit the weaving hall in the Popular Art Museum in
Monterosso Calabro, in the province of Vibo Valentia.
Textile crafts museum Reggio Calabria
the Art OF CerAMICS.
This kind of art finds in Calabria a secular tradition.
136 The ceramics and terracotta production is influen-
ced by culture and tradition of those populations
who inhabited this ancient land. One of the main
characteristics of ceramics products in Calabria is
the representation of symbols and magical rites. The
production of graffiti, masks, pinakes, shepherds in
ceramics is of great value. Thanks to its artistic past
history Squillace has now a relevant cultural role in
this field. Ceramics in Squillace are made by using the
technique of ‘ingobbio’ that is to cover the artifact
with white clay and then to decorate it with scratches
by using a sharp point. The clay after a first cooking
period changes its colour into a dark red one. Locri
is famous for its lamps and vases while Gerace for its
artistic ceramics.
GOld And SIlver
Jewelry art in Crotone is almost recent but very ap-
preciated in Italy and abroad in different sectors:
from the show business to the religious field , from
haute couture to institutional sectors. The Mediterra-
nean jewelry art school of Gerardo Sacco is among
the most prestigious schools in Italy. Beyond the
sacred objects of a past time, it teaches to decorate
instruments of the Calabria farmer art and it creates
shapes and symbols of an Italian-Albanian civiliza-
tion. But it also creates artistic jewels for cinema
purposes, as for example those used in ‘The young
Toscanini’ acted by Liz Taylor, who considered them
of an ‘ unparalleled beauty’ and those used by Glen
Close in ‘Hamlet’.
History, culture and tradition mixed themselves in
the golden strands of the famous jewelry tradition in
San Giovanni in Fiore reaching success all over the
world for its originality and precision. The meaningful
life’s moments are associated to a jewel. Birth, enga-
137gement, marriage, death find a proper representation
in the jewelry tradition. The jewelry sector has still a
certain importance thanks to the ancient art and the
know-how of some families, engaged in this mastery
for centuries: jewels, that won the time, being given
daughters from their mothers. The jennacca is the
main jewel decoration of the typical local costume.
The jennacca grains are obtained by working the fili-
gree in a particular way, by creating a daisy with buds
having a hemispherical shape, which, interlaced with
another one, gains the shape of a grain.
the Art OF WOrKInG WOOd
The high quantity of wood existing in the Sila and
Aspromonte mountains has always permitted to de-
velop wood crafts, it is also closely linked to ancient
traditions. One of the most original wood processing
production is the one called ‘shepherds ‘ art’, still ba-
sing itself on the technique of hand carving. Cabine-
try, carving, inlay such as the production of tobacco
pipes are traditions inherited from father to son. In
fact the tobacco pipes of Calabria are at the first pla-
ce in the most famous amateurs’ collections both for
functionality and beauty. In Brognaturo and Melissa
the local craftsmen use the roots of tree heather to
process the precious Aspromonte root in order to
create tobacco pipes masterpieces to be collected.
Great importance also have the high-quality musical
wood instruments particularly the lute produced in
Bisignano and the reed flageolets produced in San
Luca and Plati’.