Where is reggio calabria

First up is the famed Museo Nazionale di Reggio Calabria, hailed one of southern Italy's best museums. It houses an epic collection of Greek artifacts, so many in fact that it is often referred to as the Magna Grecia Museum rather than its state-bestowed national name. Inside are many wonders, best known among them are the Bronzes of Riace, two incredible bronze Greek sculptures found immersed in the water by a snorkeler in They were restored and put on display in a carefully climate-controlled room to preserve the ancient masterpieces.

There is also the world's oldest known Greek bust, The Philosopher. The museum is worth just these attractions, but there is so much more, including an array of artifacts found at Locri , along with countless Roman finds, as well.

Then there is the city's cathedral. First built in Gothic style following the Norman invasion, its construction was a symbol that the city was passing from Byzantine to a new order.

It was sacked and burned by the Saracens, rebuilt, then redone in in the trendy Baroque style. An earthquake caused great damage and so it was rebuilt again, this time in the Neo-Romanesque design it currently bears, giving it a unique and distinctive facade. It is the largest church in Calabria, and has beautiful stained glass windows that dazzle the neoclassical interior.

A meter high bell tower is a landmark in Reggio. The Fogliatelle Waterfalls form in the territory of Samo, while the magnificent Marmarico waterfalls , among the highest and most evocative in Italy, are in the municipality of Bivongi.

The barren aspect of parts of this terrain has allowed for the diffusion of Scotch broom. The fibers extracted from its branches are used for the manufacture of underwear and furniture accessories. The flora is quite varied and rather appreciated by bio-watchers.

In the National Park of Aspromonte the most widespread fauna comprises: follow deer , wild boar, fox , roe deer, badger , sparrow hawk, hawk , and kingfisher. The wolf , considered to be extinct for several years, reappeared in Several sources of mineral and sulphurous waters make up the landscape, such as those in Zomaro and Galatro, a modern thermal spa establishment.

Further inland, it is possible to take on horseback riding and trekking excursions. In the Aspromonte area, the touristic center Gambarie offers over 6. Many diving and snorkelling experts travel to Costa Viola, where seabeds just 10 ft from the beach offer a submerged paradise of caves, sea fan and sponge colonies, and Neptune Grass oases.

It is a near-pristine habitat for an infinity of fish and mollusks. The gastronomy of Reggio can be described as a reminiscence of a simple art made of strong sensations and traditions, handed down from generation to generation and linked to the abundant use of hot pepper.

The most famous charcuteries are the soppressata , the capicollo, the filetti and the 'nduja. Other traditional dishes are the traditional cheeses, the rosamarina , known as the "caviar of the South" young sardine with chilly pepper , and the extra virgin olive oil. The art of conserves is very typical of this province: tomato sauce, mushrooms, aubergines, tuna and other products bring the flavours and the colours of the vegetable garden to the table.

The Aspromonte area offers many varieties of mushrooms , which made Giffone the main production and processing centre. Palmi a beach and mountain town , signals the beginning of the Costa Viola. You can then head over to the Ionian coast and enjoy the lovely beaches of Siderno Marina. The dishes of Reggio are simple yet pungent with hot pepper being a key ingredient.

Cured meats are all staples, as are pork, lamb and wild boar. Try the mursiellu a stew of tripe and organ meats cooked with peppers and tomatoes flavoured with wine. Its proximity to the sea means tuna, swordfish, and mustica also known as rosamarina are also on the menu. Bus number links the port with the airport, also stopping in Piazza Garibaldi. Bus tickets can be bought in a bar by the bus stops. Reggio's port, the Stazione Marittima, is to the north of the town centre, within walking distance of the museum and Stazione Lido.

Ferries from Reggio di Calabria head to a range of destinations, with timetables which vary according to the season. The most frequent services are to Messina, opposite Reggio on the coast of Sicily. An efficient fast hydrofoil service run by the railway company Trenitalia departs from a modern, though pretty anonymous, pavilion by the jetties; there are also slower ferries.

Daily hydrofoil services - several times a day in summer - to the Aeolian Islands are operated by Ustica Lines. However, note that these are more likely to be disrupted if there are bad sea conditions. A small travel agency by the waterfront in a portacabin when I visited sells tickets for Ustica Lines and provides information on these services.

From Reggio there are also sailings to Malta. The Italian for hydrofoils is aliscafi. Reggio has its own airport, called the Aeroporto dello Stretto. It mainly serves flights within Italy. The most convenient international airports are at Lamezia Terme, and in Sicily at Catania and Palermo. One of the best short trips from Reggio di Calabria is Scilla , a very attractive fishing village with a beach just half an hour away by train.

Reggio's location makes it a logical part of tours of Calabria , Sicily and the Aeolian Islands.