This text is part of the special Pleasures notebook
Between seas and mountains, with breathtaking landscapes and ruins that would make some countries jealous, Calabria, in the southwest of Italy, is waiting to be discovered by tourists in search of authenticity.
Calabria has recently been included in the exclusive I Borghi piu belli d’Italia (Italy’s most beautiful villages) club of the National Association of Italian Municipalities. An itinerary to discover small local gems is offered on the Calabria Tourist Office website. This comes at a time when the region is experiencing a boom in tourism. “It is one of the least known but most fascinating regions,” says Angela Donato, owner of the Sognare Insieme Viaggi travel agency in Soverato. “A jewel that must be discovered little by little, being careful not to fall into overtourism, as elsewhere in the country.”
A Byzantine heritage
While beaches with crystal-clear waters in shades of blue often attract tourists — especially those of Tropea and Capo Vaticano — the travel agent insists that Calabria is more than just a seaside resort. “This region has very ancient origins. Much of its cultural heritage comes from Greece. In Roman times, it was called Magna Graecia [Grande-Grèce] ” she says. Remains such as the famous Riace Bronzes, statues of Greek warriors dating from the 5th centurye century BCE, are notably preserved at the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria.
Many peoples colonized this region in ancient times at different times: Oenostres, Ausones, Greeks, Romans, Visigoths, Byzantines, Lombards and Normans, among others. “We find traces of their passage, but more numerous are those of the Byzantine Empire on the territory,” adds Mme Donato.
Several of these works date from the 6th century.e in the XIe century are among the cultural gems to be discovered. The Cathedral of Stilo is worth a detour in the hinterland. This brick cathedral perched on the heights of Monte Consolino, built in the shape of a Greek cross, was erected in the 9th centurye century by Basilian monks. Inside, its walls are covered with frescoes made over several periods.
In Rossano we find another of these well-preserved remains. Dating back to the 11th centurye century, the Cathedral of Maria Santissima Achiropita was built on the ruins of an even older Byzantine complex.
However, it is in the Diocesan Museum of the Codex, located right next to the cathedral, that we find the treasure of the village: the Codex, which is kept there, is one of the oldest evangelaries in the world dating from the 5th century.e or VIe century. It has been included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World International Register since 2015.
The pure mountain air
In the mountain ranges of the Aspromonte, Sila, Serre and Pollino parks are some of the most beautiful villages. In Serra San Bruno, located at 800 metres above sea level in the Serre Regional Nature Park, Mayor Alfredo Barillari explains that his village is the “green soul of Calabria” due to the unique biodiversity that surrounds it. “This connection with nature is also found in an important local historical attraction, the regional sanctuary of Santa Maria nel Bosco.” The surrounding forest attracts visitors in search of peace and fresh air.
In the Sila National Park, local entrepreneurs have also begun to showcase the treasures of their mountain. At the I Giganti della Sila biogenetic nature reserve, you can discover giant larches that are 400 years old. Nearby, a new luxury eco-lodge, the Villa dei Larici, allows you to spend the night in the heart of nature. For sustenance, the Giganti della Sila restaurant offers traditional cuisine, made with local ingredients such as caciocavallo DOP cheese, Sila PGI potatoes or Podolica beef.
Alpine cuisine is very different from that of the coast. More robust, it is rich in meats from surrounding farms. The menus are made up of several courses, theantipasti (cold meats and cheeses) first (pasta dishes), the second (meat dishes), the contorted (potatoes or vegetables) and the sweet (desserts). Quite a challenge, even for gourmands!
Coastal wines and gastronomy
If the gastronomy of the mountains has its own well-established identity, the coastal region also has something to delight. With 800 km of coastline bathed by the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west and the Ionian Sea to the east, a good part of Calabrian cuisine is made up of local fish and seafood. In the seaside resorts, they are cooked in crudo, carpaccio, sushi, or grilled, snacked, breaded, fried… so many variations depending on the chef’s inspiration.
The Coast of the Gods is renowned for its many culinary specialties and DOP ingredients (a label certifying high-quality foods from Italy). Its sweet red onions from Tropea, its Pizzo’s tartufo (Italian artisanal dessert), its pasta filejahis famous nduja made of spicy sausage are just a few examples of its local delicacies. Even the Calabrian’s favourite liqueur, Vecchio Amaro del Capo, enjoyed in shots iced, in an espresso martini or as a coulis on the tartufois originally from the area.
Calabrian wines are also part of the pleasures of the table. The Cirò DOC, in particular, surprises with the quality of its vintages. It is estimated that viticulture already existed in the region as early as the 7th century.e century BCE. Calabria was then called Enotria, or “Land of Wines” in the ancient Hellenic language.
Companies like Librandi are flagship wineries in the region. Since the 1950s, wines from very old local grape varieties, such as gaglioppo (red) and greco bianco (white), have been produced there. Nearly 75 years later, the family-run winery has expanded its range of wines and is winning international awards.
This content was produced by the Special Publications Team of Dutyrelevant to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part in it.