Calabria is a place of incomparable beauty that is made a perfect vacation destination by the beautiful sea and the wonderful sunsets in summer. Calabria has a rich culture with deep traditions. For example, the Reggio Calabria riace bronzes hold a lot of history about the heritage and culture of that region.
The Riace Bronzes are two naked bearded warriors of Greek origin. One of the sculptures is 203 cm while the other one measure 196.3cm. These two were cast in the 5th century BC and discovered in 1972 by Stefano Mariottini, a chemist from Rome in the sea near Riace. At the moment, the bronzes are conserved at a museum in the southern Italian city of Reggio Calabria. The museum is called the Museo Nationale Della Magna Graecia.
Visiting Reggio Calabria
Preparing for the visit …
While you’re packing, factor in the fact that at some time, the temperatures drop to freezing point. Bring some warm clothes.
Carry some cash with you (yes, even the coins). Most of the local businesses do not accept credit cards and only take cash payments.
Make a point to learn some Italian. The local will really appreciate your effort. You could get a pocket dictionary too if you like.
The most convenient way to move around is by private means. Public transportation only works well in larger towns and at times you have to make bus connections. If you do not have a car you could rent one to get to Reggio Calabria. Another option would be to take a train if you’re along the coast.
There are a lot of solid options for those who are looking for accommodation. Bed and breakfast hotels and guest rooms are distributed across the cities.
August is not a good time to travel because the beaches are usually overcrowded and the traffic is crazy! July is the ideal time to visit since the weather is still manageable.
Once in Calabria, do as the residents do: Eat pepper. Most of the meals here have peperoncino as an ingredient. There’s even a peperoncino festival every September.
Lastly, do not forget to bring some gadgets to help you relax and unplug during your free time. Free Wi-Fi is available in most of the public places and accommodations.
Places to Visit
The discovery of the bronzes totally transformed Reggio Calabria to an international destination. Calabria has beautiful mountains and a number of national parks. The 500 mile Calabria coastline itself is quite the site!
Here is a list of the top 5 places to visit:
The National Archeological Museum
Reggio Calabria is home to one of the most important archeological museums that are solely dedicated to Magna Graecia. This is the museum where the Riace Bronzes are conserved.
Lungomare Falcomta
This is definitely a beautiful place thanks to its unique sunsets which create a phenomenon referred to as the “Fata Morgana Mirage”
Arena Dello Stretto
This theatre stands between the sea and the promenade. It hosts cultural events
Aragonese Castle
This is another symbol of Reggio Calabria. This castle has both Aragonese towers in the middle of the square which has, for many years, housed the National Institute of Geophysics.
Basilica
This is the largest religious building in the area.