Calabria - Kalabrio

Calabria, itale Calabria (elp. Kalabrja), is a region of Italy.

Curiosities

Calabria is the tip of the "boot", (the extreme southern tip of the Italian peninsula). Bathed by the beautiful waters of the Ionian and Tyrrhenian seas, it is separated from Sicily by the Strait of Messina. The welcoming climate, the beautiful colors of the sea, the rocky shores alternating with sandy shores, its wild and mysterious nature, the intense and authentic flavors of the local cuisine and the testimonies of its ancient origins make Calabria a unique place, admirable in all seasons.

Every wish can be fulfilled in Calabria. Those who love nature, its scents, its mysteries, will be able to enter the Calabrian hinterland, discovering a clean and unpolluted landscape where huge green expanses are interrupted by the blue of lakes and waterfalls.

Those who, on the other hand, want to sunbathe under the warm sunlight or immerse themselves in a crystal clear sea, can choose from the many beautiful places that dot the long Tyrrhenian and Ionian coasts.

And for those who want to know the past of this region, the cradle of "Magna Grecia" and a land of ancient settlements, Calabria offers a wide choice of villages and places where centuries-old customs and traditions survive, and ancient buildings, churches and monasteries. , castles and palaces.

Territory and tourist places

From a tourist point of view Calabria can be divided into the following areas:

• Kosenca area:
  • Cosence is included in the list of art cities.
  • River of the Cedrat trees, is the Tyrrhenian coast whose main centers are Praia a Mare and The mistress.
  • Coast of the Achaeans, on the Ionian coast, is the largest seaside resort town Sibari near the ruins of the ancient Greek colony.
  • The Monte Pollino massif, which marks the border with Basilicata constitutes a national park.

• Sila plateau a plateau divided between the provinces of Cosenza, Croton and Catanzaro, whose main tourist center is Camigliatello Silano; Most of its territory is part of the Sila National Park.

• Coast of the Gods A section of the Tyrrhenian coast that runs from Calabro lace al Nicotera, passing through Tropea and Head of the Vatican.

• Purple Coast The southernmost coast of the former, which runs from Palms al Villa San Giovanni (also includes Seminar, Weather in Bagnara Calabra and Scilla).

• Coast of the Saracens The piece of the Ionian coast around Island of Capo Rizzuto, a popular seaside resort town.

• Coast of the Orange Trees The piece of coastline on the gulf of Squillace, with Soverato and Badolato Marina; mostly in the Katanzara area.

• Coast of the JasminesHe's back, Locri, Weather in Roccella Ionica and Marina di Gioiosa Ionica.

• Aspromonto A massif at the southern end of the boot set up as a nature reserve; is the ski resort of Gambarie.

• Katanzara area

• Royal area The territory that includes King Calabria and Villa San Giovanni

• Plain of Gioia Taurus

Provinces (Subregions)

administratively the region is divided in five provinces:

Poz.	Province / Metropolitan city	Residents	Area (km²)
1	Cosence	685.859	6.709,75
2	King Calabria	527.394	3.183,20
3	Catanzaro	346.721	2.415,45
4	Croton	166.961	1.735,68
5	Vibo Valentia	153.420	1.150,64

Cities

• Cosence
• Croton
• Catanzaro
• Vibo Valentia
• King Calabria

Esperanto cities

Other destinations

in the province of Cosenza:

Of the seaside towns the most important are:

on the Tyrrhenian coast: Diamond, Belvedere Marittimo, The ladder, Cetraro, Paola, Fuscaldo and Fiumefreddo Bruzio.

on the Ionian coast: Cariati, Corigliano Calabro, Rossano, Trebisacce and Myrtle.

The cultural and religious urban centers in the hinterland: Mormanno, Cassano allo Jonio, Castrovillari, Imperial Fortress, Morano Calabro, Altomonte, Acres, San Giovanni in Fiore, San Marco Argentano, Bisignano and Orsomarso.

The most important tourist places in the mountain ranges are: Lorica, Soldier's beech and Silvana Mansio.

in the province of Catanzaro:

on the Tyrrhenian coast: Nocera Terinese, Falerna and Lamezia Terme.

on the Ionian coast: Catanzaro Lido, Stalettì, Montepaone Lido, Roccelletta di Borgia, Weather in Sellia Marina, Davoli, and Botricello

inland: Tavern and Tiriolo at the feet of the Sila, and Girifalco and Maida at the feet of the Preserre.

in the province Croton:

Cirò Marina and Cutro.

in the province Vibo Valentia:

Lace, and Tropea.

in the metropolitan city of King Calabria:

Gioia Tauro, He's back, Weather in Roccella Ionica, Marina di Gioiosa Ionica, and inland Mammola in the territory of the park of the Limina plateau.

Understand

The main Calabrian tourist resource is the sea, with a coastline of 780 kilometers facing the seas Tirena, Ionia and Messina Strait. Little industrial development and the absence of large cities on most of the territory made it possible to preserve the marine environment in many cases. The almost two million tourists who visit Calabria are also linked to the presence on the territory of many archaeological remains, as in the cases of Reggio Calabria, Locri, Palms, Crotone, Sibari and Roccelletta di Borgia.

Mountain tourism is developed mainly in the reliefs and national parks of Sila, Aspromonte and Pollino, where are the ski resorts of Weather in Camigliatello, Lorica, Gambarie and Zomaro.

The province of Cosenza is the Calabrian territory, which occupies the majority position of the regional tourism demand with 38.3% of arrivals and 37% of attendances recorded in 2017; Between the cities of the regional hinterland, Cosenza preserves a considerable historical and artistic heritage.In the 2019 tourism trend report promoted by the Calabria region, 8,820,489 attendances, 1,646,671 arrivals, of which 42.6% remained in the province of Cosenza. 22% of those present are foreigners; Germany is confirmed as the first country of origin, followed by France and Russia. A significant figure, that of 2019, especially from a historical analytical point of view compared to this year with 2014. Compared to five years ago, in fact, 400,000 more arrivals were recorded.

Terrain

History

Ethnic groups

Climate

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Enter on foot

To be transported

To be transported on foot

Public transport

Transport by train

Transport by bus

Transport by car

See

Calabria and the chili pepper

La capsicum is the symbol of Calabria; in this region, the capsicum is the red gold, the absolute prince of the table. And Diamante is its capital, so much so that it has dedicated to the capsicum Academy, which annually organizes in September a Festival that has now achieved international fame: cinema, art, culture, meetings, debates, satire, music, fashion shows, street performances and many gastronomy where red gold is never lacking. The route starts right from Diamante, the "Garden of the Cedars", eight kilometers of beach, crystal clear sea and alleys cheerfully colored by murals. In this beautiful city it is essential to taste the many sauces and the famous n’duja: a sausage flavored with pepper, great as an appetizer or to taste first courses. Finally, a visit to Maierà, 8 km from Diamante, where the Capsicum Pepper Museum is located in the ducal palace.

Following the coast to the north, you will find very popular beaches: Scalea, with its ancient village arranged in steps and Praia a Mare, surrounded by cedars, with the suggestive Dino Island and the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Grotta, from which you can enjoy. an extraordinary view of the coast.

Crossing the Pollino National Park, with its particularly harsh nature, you reach Castrovillari with the imposing Aragonese castle of 1490. This area is one of the starting points for excursions in the park (on the Calabrian side, we remind you that the park also covers part of Basilicata. several campsites, shelters and bivouacs - and its reserves: Laa River Valley, Raganello Gorge and Argentina River Valley.

The municipality of Arbereshe, of Albanian origin, also lived in the protected area for five hundred years and settled between Calabria and Basilicata between 1470 and 1540 to escape the Turks. Among the villages worth visiting: Acquaformosa, Civita (where there is a museum of the Arbereshe civilization), San Basile, Lungro, Plataci and Frascineto. The evocative functions sung according to the Greek-Byzantine rite are not to be missed. From the mountains to the city: we arrive at Cosenza, the provincial capital, with its picturesque Corso Mazzini, the charming old town, and the view over the rivers Crati and Busento. . After a visit to the majestic Cathedral, we move on to the table, where the strong flavors of Calabria are still found and where the specialty is mùstica: small fish covered with chili, dried in the sun and preserved in oil.

Our route ends, returning to the Tyrrhenian coast, in Paola, where the patron saint of Calabria, San Francesco di Paola, is celebrated from the 1st to the 4th of May. For the festival, many faithful come from all over Italy, spending the night outside, singing and playing. The event culminates with a procession with the statue of the saint, who through an avenue with many majolica edicts, in which the miracles of San Francesco are represented, first reaches the monetary convent, where, in the Gothic church, the remains of the saint are preserved. in the afternoon he lands on the beach for the blessing of the boats. At midnight the fireworks close the party.

Art

Art lovers will not want to miss the opportunity to admire the famous Bronzes of Riace, exhibited in the National Museum of the King of Calabria, an important testimony of the 'Magna Grecia', a period that deeply marked the history of this region. These beautiful statues, depicting two military heroes, represent a rare example of classical Greek sculpture.

The Bronzes of Riace

Very little is known about The Bronzes of Riace even today: the authors, the depicted characters, the place they had in antiquity and the exact time of construction are unknown.

Sculptural masterpieces known throughout the world, the Bronzes are the main attraction of the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria. Their uniqueness is also due to the fact that there are very few Greek statues in the world, bronze, which have been preserved intact to date and, among all, these are the most beautiful. A few hundred meters from the coast of Riace in 1972, the two majestic statues are the very emblem of the city of Reggio Calabria and represent two human figures, probably two warriors, of extraordinary beauty. They are believed to date from the 5th century BC. and that they have a Hellenic origin; they are about two meters high and in excellent condition.

According to more recent studies, a bronze A (called ‘the young man’) could represent Tideus, a ferocious hero of Aetolia, son of the god Ares. Bronze B ('the old man') would instead depict Amphiaraus, a military prophet. The statues were probably made in Athens and later shipped to be taken to Rome; but the boat carrying them sank and the precious cargo ended up in the sea.

Crafts

Calabrian crafts have very ancient origins and artisan associations since ancient times. In the field of musical instruments, in towns like Bisignano, it reached its peak with generations of luthiers who since the 18th century have built concert guitars, harp mandolins and especially violins, one of which is said to have even been bought by Giuseppe Verdi. However, the production of ceramic objects is at the forefront of Calabrian craftsmanship. The workshops of potters are scattered in several centers, from Altomonte to Gerace, Belcastro, Squillace, Seminara and Palmi. In Locri they still bake "pinakes" like the ancient and oil lamps and amphorae with a head; in Squillace "orialori" and "salaturi"; in Gioiosa Jonica and Roccella "cuccume" and "quartarelle"; in Soriano garden pots and roof tiles.

Also the wood craft in Calabria is one of the most ancient and glorious, supported by the richness of the wood of Aspromonte and by the skill of the craftsmen, very skilled in carving, carving, inlaying, tornado. Rogliano is a famous center of this artistic craft with specialists in bas-reliefs and sculptures for churches. In the province of Reggio there are still shops for processing heather and production of excellent pipes.

Another distinctive product is the Spartan blankets, which change color with each season change. Also known are the fabrics and embroidery of the women of Tiriolo, in the province of Catanzaro, of which the "vancole", striped woolen shawls are also known. Production is also carried out in other centers, not to mention Longobuk, famous for carpets, and San Giovanni in Fiore, where woolen carpets are made that can compete with oriental ones. Among many "masters", in Calabria are also those of wrought iron and goldsmiths and silversmiths, including the prince of modern Calabrian goldsmiths Gerardo Sacco: his artistic creations are known throughout the world. Another typical craft activity, even if secondary, is that of basket weavers, a widespread work in Soriano, from where, on the occasion of local festivals, basket weavers invade the centers of the region with their typical products: round and oval baskets and wicker baskets.

Ancient knowledge renewed with the same passion of centuries, unchanged in gestures and spirit and which transmits the works of a industrious and skilful people.

Sea

For sailors, Calabria - with its 800 km of coastline - offers a wide selection of beautiful beaches, including the magnificent beach of the Capo Vaticano promontory, in the province of Vibo Valentia, defined as one of the 100 most beautiful beaches in the world: a vast expanse of fine sand, surrounded by centuries-old trees and surrounded by crystal clear waters inhabited by a variety of fish fauna. Stretching over the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the direction of Stromboli and the Aeolian Islands, Capo Vaticano is undoubtedly one of the most sought after seaside resorts in Italy. , thanks to its white coastline and untouched sea. The panorama is particularly suggestive with granite rock walls that descend to the sea and with a rich Mediterranean flora.

An important beach overlooking the Ionian Sea is that of Marina di Sibari, a place known since the time of the 'Magna Grecia' for its position and its beautiful appearance. Located in the province of Cosenza, the city of Sibari is today a site of great naturalistic and historical value, which among other things preserves important archaeological finds. Marina di Sibari is the ideal place for a relaxing holiday in contact with nature, among the crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea.

A very special place is Isola di Capo Rizzuto, located in the province of Crotone and famous for its stunning coastline over the Ionian Sea, alternating cliffs with long beaches, characteristic of the red-orange color of the sand. The entire magnificent area of ​​Capo Rizzuto, together with the coastal part south of Croton, is part of the Marine Protected Area of ​​Capo Rizzuto: a view of the sea with particular value for the variety of its naturist environments and the presence of priceless archaeological finds. to 'Magna' Greece.

There are still countless Calabrian beaches, both on the Tyrrhenian Sea and on the Ionian Sea, ready to offer Mediterranean colors, unique emotions and unforgettable views.

Tyrrhenian coast

Miles and miles of wild coastline that alternates with sandy beaches, suggestive villages, in front of an uncontaminated sea, but also equipped and lively beaches, this is the Tyrrhenian coast of Calabria, an ideal place for any type of holiday, whether looking for relaxation or The Calabrian coast offers many possibilities to even the most demanding tourists

Riviera of the Cedars

Arriving in Calabria from the north along the Tyrrhenian side one first meets the Riviera dei Cedri, so named for the many cedar crops in the area. The first town that welcomes the visitor is Praia a Mare, on the border with Basilicata. Nestled in the Pollino National Park, Praia Mare with its beautiful dark sandy beaches is one of the best known tourist resorts in the region. A view of the Dino island is a must, which rises in front of Capo dell'Arena and where there are beautiful caves. Going down you meet Scalea, the characteristic historic center with its ancient walls, where it will not be difficult to get lost between the enchanting and narrow alleys. On the coast there are many hotels of all kinds, so everyone can find something suitable for themselves. , full of artisan shops, but also fashion shops. The visitor is enchanted by a hundred beautiful murals painted on the fishing houses in the historic center, but also by the good local cuisine, also famous for being the seat of the capsicum academy. Nearby is the small island of Cirella, full of caves and fjords and seen from above by a military fortress dating from the sixteenth century. The sea throughout the region is magnificent, but undoubtedly between Amantea and Belmonte is one of the most beautiful. Here are the two rocks of Isca and here in 1991 WWF established the protected area "Blue Oasis of the Isca Rocks", a magical place, a favorite destination for those who love to dive.

Coast of the Gods

Also known as Costa Bella, close to the Aeolian Islands, the coast of the gods is 55 km long and falls entirely within the province of Vibo Valentia, where the white beaches alternate with small bays.

Famous for its cuisine (its ice cream is known everywhere), and also for its beautiful position on the gulf of S. Eufemia, Pizzo Calabro is a fishing village, steep on the sea.

After a typical lunch, it is essential to visit one of the most enchanting places on the entire Calabrian coast: Tropea. known and esteemed for the feast of blue fish and the local famous red onion.

Further south and directly in front of the island of Stromboli rises the headland of Capo Vaticano, considered among the best beaches in the world.

The beautiful and rich seabeds and the characteristic bays, such as that of the Grotticella, make it a real attraction.

Costa Viola

Costa Viola is the southernmost part of the Tyrrhenian coast, here the sea is open and deep and the water takes on a purple color in a few hours of the day.

In addition to the untouched nature of Monte Sant'Elia and the golden beaches, those who visit Palmi, a charming village in the province of Reggio Calabria, will also marvel at the archaeological finds dating back to the Neolithic.

From the pleasure of history to that of nature: Bagnara Calabra rises on the hills above the sea, standing between the vineyards and with a vision of unique charm on the Aeolian Islands and the Strait of Messina.

And speaking of enchanting views, to enjoy one of the most beautiful views in Italy certainly Scilla, a fishing village, famous for Homer and Virgil and appreciated by tourists who come here also to watch the characteristic swordfish fishing.

Nature

Diving in the wild nature of the Calabrian hinterland is a must-see experience and the parks of Sila, Serre, Aspromonte and Pollino are one of the most interesting naturalistic destinations. The “torrent rivers” and the “big stones” of Aspromonte, the “green patriarchs” of the Sila plateau, the natural richness of the ‘Serre’ are just some of the natural wonders this country has to offer.

Fari

When you think of Calabria, resting by the sea and the beautiful beaches immediately comes to mind. But its waters with crystal reflections are also a “natural gym” where you can have fun practicing surfboarding, kite surfing or scuba diving to discover the amazing seabeds that host colorful gorgonians and fascinating wrecks.

There are also many opportunities for fun and relaxation that Calabria offers to those who choose to spend their holidays exploring the inland regions. The National Parks, which cover much of the hinterland, offer such a wide range of opportunities to meet every need.

Those who love winter sports will choose one of the many ski resorts, also equipped with synthetic slopes for year-round training.

On the other hand, those who want to prove themselves can try a floating excursion along the river Lao or through the gorges of the Sila.Alternatively you can go along the river without the help of special boats but simply "walk", dive into the water and descend by the rope in the most difficult sections (canyoning) .The support of special guides can make these fascinating sports activities possible for everyone.

Another opportunity to learn and have fun at the same time is orienteering, a sport born in the Scandinavian countries to measure orienteering skills. The participant, equipped with a map and compass, must reach the finish line as quickly as possible, choosing the route independently but with the duty to reach intermediate stages.

And why not try the emotion of “flying” over the impressive views of Calabria? Special instructors will guide you along the heavenly paths, firmly attached to the saddle of a sloping parachute, allowing you to admire the beauty of Calabria from a completely different perspective.

Events

(with national or international meaning)

• "Varia di Palmi" - Palms (last Sunday in August): feast included in the list of oral and intangible heritage of mankind of UNESCO ; ^[1]
• "Calabria Fest - RAI Radio tutta italiana", a festival of new Italian music;
• "Magna Graecia Film Festival" - Catanzaro (July): "First works of new directors" film festival of Italian cinema;
• St. Joseph's Fair - Cosenza In March, for about ten days, some streets of the city close to the historic center and the riverbank host the St. Joseph's Fair; this one, which registers thousands of visitors annually, with a record number of exhibitors with the presence of about 750 booths. The establishment of the Fair has its roots in 1234, a period of Swabian rule and was established by Frederick II of Swabia, the emperor deeply in love with the city;
• Carnival of Castrovillari, officially born in 1959 as Pollino Carnival, (counted among the 10 most beautiful carnivals in Italy).
• International Summer Folklore, which takes place in August every year in the city Castrovillari;
• "Reggio Calabria Filmfest" - Reggio Calabria (spring): a retrospective of Italian cinema;
• "Festival of Culture" - Reggio Calabria (11 February);
• "Strait Festival"- Reggio of Calabria (August);
• Celebration of Our Lady of the Poor men - Seminar (July 31 to August 15): Celebration of the oldest miraculous wooden statue in the South, which attracts tourists from all parts of Italy. The festival is accompanied by the "Giants Mata and Grifone", the "Tamburinari", the "Palio" and sometimes also the "Varia di Seminara". The festival is completed by various kinds of initiatives, spectacular fireworks and a concert by a famous singer;
• "Village Saturday" - Lamezia Terme (January / June): meetings between literature and philosophy with personalities of international and Italian culture;
• "Plots. Mafia Book Festival"- Lamezia Terme (June);
• "Literary Prize the International City of Palmi" - Palms (September / October);
• "Paleariza" - Bovesia (August): an international traveling ethno-cultural-music festival that takes place every year in the Greek area of ​​the metropolitan city of Reggio Calabria;
• "Roccella Jazz Festival" - Roccella Jonica: Many concerts, with the presence of great jazz musicians (August);
• "Stock Festival" - Mammola: Gastronomic event, takes place on August 9;
• "Wine Festival and Ancient Flavors of the Territory" - Lungro: Food and wine event in the historic center, takes place on December 27 every year;
• "Historical re-enactment of the Albanian hero Giorgio Castriota Skanderbeg"- Lungro: An ethno-cultural event that takes place within the historical period of the carnival, just around the middle of February;
• "Chili Festival" - Diamond: Organized by the "Italian Capsicum Academy";
• "Palio di ribusa" - Style: Renaissance history re-enactment. It takes place over the weekend containing the first Sunday in August;
• Live Chess in Cutro to celebrate the victory of Giovanni Leonardo Di Bona, the world's first chess winner.

Communicate

The official language of Calabria is Italian;

The Calabrian language is also widely used; it is in fact divided into two parts:

• the one spoken in the north (Cosenza province), which is similar to the dialects of Campania, Basilicata and Apulia (but not in Salento)
• the one spoken in the center-south of Calabria is similar to the dialects of Sicily and the south of Apulia (Salento)

Despite this both are generally identified as "Calabrian".

Due to the numerous historical roots of the region, there are areas of Calabria where languages ​​of direct descent from other languages ​​are still spoken.

The linguistic minorities recognized and protected by the Italian state in the Calabria region are: the "guardiolo", the Greek-Calabrian dialect and the Albanian (arbërishtja). In some of these areas, (especially in the Albanian area, where the language is still very much alive), the streets of the various villages have bilingual names.

The "guardiolo" is a variant of Occitan, spoken only in the area of ​​Guardia Piemontese.

The Greek language of Calabria ("grecanico"), is spoken in the Greek triangle of the metropolitan city of Reggio Calabria, in the municipalities Amendolea (Amigdalia / Amiddalia), Bova (Vua), Bova Marina (Fundaca, Jalò to Vua), Condofuri , Roccaforte del Greco (Vunì), Roghudi, and in some districts of the city Reggio Calabria such as San Giorgio Extra.

The Albanian language in Calabria is a linguistic variety of Albanian spoken in southern Albania. The Albanian municipality (arbëreshë) is the most widespread minority in the region (33 linguistically active communities between the provinces of Cosenza, Crotone and Catanzaro). Of note is the modern and contemporary literary production, known and studied in Albania itself and in the Albanian-speaking Balkan states.

Buy

Shopping

In the villages of the municipality of Arbereshe the fabrics (tapestries, saddlebags, aprons) made with the fiber of the spartan are very special. But the art of textiles is spreading throughout the region. Diamante) are excellent. Grape loaves are also made with cedar (raisins wrapped in cedar leaves). Wines: the red Donnici, Pollino and Savuto.

Stores

Eat

Traditional foods

Calabria is a land of strong and intense emotions. Its tastes are the same: an example for everyone is the famous Calabrian sharp peppers. It’s easy to find this ingredient in many typical Calabrian dishes: from ‘bruschetta with n’duja’ or ‘sardella’ - known as the ‘caviar of the poor’ - to pork sausages, from spices for pasta to fish dishes.

The strong taste of the pepper contrasts with the sweet taste of the famous red onion of Tropea, protected by the brand IGP, used to taste dishes and because of its healing properties.

Finally, among the typical delicacies of Calabria, the extra virgin olive oil, wines, liqueurs based on bergamot, licorice, cedar or herbs, honey, jams and pastas with characteristic shapes "(strangugghj, fillet, maccaruni)" still worked with the ancient methods .

The Christmas sweets are delicious and not to be missed.

Vegetarianism and veganism

Drink

Alcohol

To live

Esperanto housing

Campsites

Hostels

Hotels

Security

Healthy

Respect

Esperanto

Local Esperantists

Esperanto meetings

Consulates

Visit further

Remarks

External links

www.turiscalabria.it

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