About Reggio Calabria

Reggio Calabria is the biggest city and the most populated comune of Calabria, Southern Italy. It is the capital of the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria and the seat of the Regional Council of Calabria. It has a population of approximately 200,330 people.

Reggio Calabria has a long history: Its founders, the Chalcidians of Euboea, had come from the Mediterranean in the second half of the eight-century BC. Today, in a city destroyed and rebuilt for many times, testimony of the grandeur of its Greek and Roman past may be found in the “Museo Nazionale” (hosting also the Riace bronzes, also called the Riace Warriors, two full-size Greek bronzes of naked bearded warriors, cast about 460–450 BC) as well as going away in the city center and visiting old churches and other Greek and Roman remnants.

The center of Reggio shows elegant liberty-style buildings, the cathedral, the Ottimati church, the rests of Greek walls and Roman thermal baths, and, among other attractions, the Lungomare “Italo Falcomatà”, the “most beautiful kilometer in Italy”, according to the famous poet Gabriele D’Annunzio. It is a magnificent balcony overlooking the straits, with Messina, the Peloritans, the AEtna volcano across the way; the broad avenue is lined with century old trees where people stroll and stop to rest in the shape to enjoy the wonderful landscape. Across the Lungomare, you can find a rich selection of tropical and sub-tropical plants dating back to more than 100 years ago. You can admire species such as the Moreton Bay Fig, the Canary Palm, the Washington Palm, the Cockspur Coral Tree, the Pittosporum Tobira, the Dwarf Palm and Citrus trees.

Reggio Calabria city extends for 23 kilometers along the eastern shores of the Straits of Messina and it climbs along the slopes of the Aspromonte range up to 1708 m at Monte Basilico.

A further curiosity: The New York Times recently published the top 52 regions of the world that, according to their view, people should visit. At the 37th position, they placed Calabria, see here .

Reggio Calabria and its surroundings are certainly one of the most beautiful areas of Calabria.

The typical cuisine of Reggio Calabria is a sort of prototype of the Mediterranean diet. It is simple, fresh, genuine and healthy but also characterized by strong flavors. It typically mixes seafood with vegetables, but it includes a large variety of ingredients. Extra virgin olive oil is the main condiment used for all types of dishes.  Rarely, and only for winter cuisine, it is replaced by lard. The vegetables that are often served are eggplant, parmigiana style or as fried balls; zucchini, stuffed peppers, red onion (“cipolla rossa di Tropea”) and pumpkin.

One of the symbols of Reggio Calabria is Bergamot, which is a round citrus with a very intense and fresh scent. It is exclusive of the area of Reggio Calabria, and its skin contains a very valuable essential oil, highly sought after within the cosmetic industry. It is also used in the traditional pastry or to make fresh beverages.