Calabria

Distance 9 km – Le Castella is a charming tourist resort near Isola Capo Rizzuto in the province of Crotone. It rests on a terrace along the Ionian Sea and is said to have Trojan origins. The splendid Aragonese Castle with distinct quadrilateral towers sits on a small island. Continuing along the SS 106 brings you to Capo Colonna, where you can see the last surviving Doric column, one of 48 that once belonged to a beautiful temple dedicated to Hera (Juno).

Distance 32 km – Evidence of the past abounds in Crotone’s historic centre. Piazza Pythagoras, Crotone’s most important square, stands on Cavaliere Hill surrounded by 19th-century porticoes. Cathedral Square is home to a splendid 9th-century Cathedral with beautiful original chapels, such as the one dedicated to the Black Madonna of Capo Colonna. The 16th-century Bishop’s palace displays the coats of arms belonging to Crotone’s most prominent bishops. The polygonal fortress castle, one of Crotone’s most important buildings, retains its medieval charm.

Distance 80 km – Nestled into the heart of Calabria, Sila is engulfed by a crown of mountains whose highest peak, Mount Botte Donato, reaches 1,928 metres. It’s coated with a vast conifer and beech forest, and its rich fauna has great naturalistic value. The park is ideal for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, orienteering, birdwatching, biowatching, nature photography, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, and sailing or canoeing trips. The food and wine include delightful typical local products.

Distance 140 km – Pizzo Calabro is one of Vibo Valentia’s most beloved towns. The splendid coastal village sits on a promontory in the centre of the Gulf of Sant’Eufemia. Visit the ancient seaside village and Piedigrotta, a small 17th-century tuff church. Follow the signs for Tropea to reach one of Calabria’s most famous tourist resorts. In addition to the town’s beautiful beaches and streets, the Norman Cathedral, with its Gothic facade and 16th-century portal, is worth a visit. The last stop is Capo Vaticano to visit the Belvedere overlook and its cliffs.   

Distance 170 km – Belvedere Marittimo is an ancient town perched on the Cedar Coast, Upper Cosenza’s Tyrrhenian shore. Its strategic position makes it unique from both a defensive and a panoramic perspective. The great mountain of Pollino Park shields it from behind while the open sea lies in front of it. The town is famous not only for retaining its beauty but also for having been the protagonist of an artistic project involving the creation of terracotta bas-reliefs on house walls, thus reviving the ancient tradition of local potters.

Distance 195 km – Reggio is home to one of the most significant Magna Graecia archaeological museums, which houses the famous Bronze Statues of Riace. The rare testimony to Greek bronze sculpture is an emblem of the city, along with its university. The neo-Romanesque cathedral is Calabria’s largest religious building, with a Baroque chapel and numerous works by 19th- and 20th-century painters and goldsmiths from Reggio.

Distance 72 km – Pollino National Park is Italy’s largest natural park, with views of the Dolcedorme and Cozzo del Pellegrino peaks and horizons retracting over the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas. Tree species include silver fir, beech, and black pine, while the rare Loricate Pine, the park’s most famous, grows on the higher slopes. The fauna is also of great naturalistic value and the park is home to the Apennine wolf and Orsomarso roe deer. The park authority organises day-long experiences for travellers, including hiking, mountain biking, rafting, trekking, and cycling.

Nicknamed the “city of chess” and the “city of bread and chess”, Cutro’s sites of interest include the Mother Church dedicated to Santissima Annunziata, the convent of the Minor Friars, the Church of Santa Maria della Pietà, the Church of San Rocco, Grisi Palace, and Santa Chiara Palace. On August 12, the city holds an annual Living Chess Game involving 150 participants who parade in fine damask and velvet period costumes crafted by local seamstresses. As if by magic, palaces with crenellated walls also appear. Following the flag-wavers’ performance, a living chess game plays out on the square’s pavement chessboard.

Corigliano Calabro is a splendid town on a hill looking over the Sibari plain. Its historic centre is rich in valuable architectural and artistic evidence, starting with the majestic Corigliano Castle. Ancient dungeons are on the first floor, and the drawbridge leads to the mezzanine on the second floor. The Throne Room once occupied the third floor, nicknamed the Noble floor. Finally, the fourth floor was home to the Servants’ Hall. Other buildings of interest around Corigliano Calabro are Saint Anthony of Padua, Saint Peter, and Saint Mary churches.

Set in the Sibari plain between Sila and the Ionian coast, Rossano’s beautiful churches are must-sees: the church and monastery of Santa Maria del Pàtire, Rossano Cathedral, San Bernardino Church, and the oratory of San Marco Evangelista. The city’s historic heart winds around Corso Garibaldi, the main street leading to squares and spaces where noble 18th- and 19th-century residences and sumptuous palaces stand with majesty. Keep an eye out for the 19th-century Clock Tower in the heart of Piazza Steri and the striking Mermaid Fountain. Rossano’s history intertwines with one of Calabria’s best-known products: liquorice. The Amarelli family established first factory for processing the root in 1731. Today, the Liquorice Museum exhibits the centuries-old techniques used in its production.