CALABRIA CALABRIA AND ITS PORTS 3 When this region is thought of, the rst images that come to mind are, very probably, images of sun, white An economic and cultural crossroads between Europe and the beaches and jagged cli s overlooking a crystal-clear Mediterranean basin, distinguished through the centuries for its strong sea. But Calabria is not only this: most of its territory is cultural identity which originates from the strategic position it enjoys, in fact hilly and there are also three mountainous areas Calabria has always been a privileged meeting point for exchanges of great naturalistic interest, all protected by national between various civilizations and peoples. parks: Pollino, Sila and Aspromonte. Such diversi ed landscapes allow several kinds of tourism; the particu- lar position of the parks close to the coasts, means that the sea can be easily reached, letting people plan a var- ndertaking a journey to discover Ca- ied holiday. And it is precisely this territorial, environ- labria means not only appreciating the mental and landscape variety that is the strong point of extraordinary beauty and fascination Calabria both for those who discover it landing in one of its territory, but also tracing a path- of the many enchanting bays, reachable only from the Uway of discovery in the places of the memory, myth and sea, and for those who walk through its immense forests legend of this region and its age-old history. or who adventure into its Ionian spurs. The cultural in uences from all round the Mediterrane- The sea is undoubtedly the most important Calabrian an are preserved in the numerous and fascinating traces: tourist resource 800 km of coastline overlook the the passing and the integration of various populations Tyrrhenian, the Ionian and the straits of Messina, in a Greeks, Romans, Normans, Arabs, Angevins, Bour- scenario which alternates beaches with ne sands and bons, Spaniards, French have left indelible traces in the rocks, and o ers numerous opportunities for bathing artistic and architectural patrimony, in the archaeologi- only a few kilometres apart. Among the best known cal landscape, in the local cuisine and craftwork, in the tourist resorts Tropea, Capo Vaticano, Soverato, Scalea, music and in the kind of religiousness which attest to the Diamante, Amantea, Praia a Mare, Corigliano Cala- particular character of this region. bro, or the popular beaches with certi ed clean water There is a pre-historic Calabria, a Greek Calabria, a Byz- such as Cirò Marina, Roccella Ionica and Scilla stand antine, Swabian and Norman Calabria, and a Christian out. The wide variety of types of accommodation and Calabria, to be discovered and understood. The indomi- dining facilities is supported by the famous Calabrian table essence of a unique land, able to o er the tourist sense of hospitality, and by their particular attention to places and treasures rich in history, art and culture can the quality of the service, but also enriched by the op- be enjoyed. These elements interweave in a succession portunity to make interesting excursions along archaeo- of symbols and folk traditions and are revived in the folk- logical and naturalistic routes. loristic events which characterize local realities. Old towns, ancient villages, churches, IN THE HEART OF THE MEDITERRANEAN, A LAND STILL TO BE DISCOVERED, WITH castles, are set like precious stones A SURPRISINGLY WIDE TOURISTIC OFFER, ABLE TO SATISFY ALL THE VISITORS’ in a natural scenery of rarer attraction. POSSIBLE NEEDS IN ANY PERIOD OF THE YEAR. REGGIO CALABRIA CALABRIA AND ITS PORTS 5 Situated on the Southernmost point of the peninsula, Reggio Calabria rises at the foot of the Aspromonte Massif and extends along the east coast of the Straits of Messina for about 32 Km. ituated in a touristic area of notable of the most ancient civilizations, the art and the of Magna Grecia and of the Roman empire still exist historical-cultural importance, the town of testimonies of a glorious past. From the splendid side by side. Le Mura Greche represent one of the few Reggio Calabria rises at the exact center of promenade, where there is one of the most important archaeological testimonies which have survived to the the Mediterranean Sea whose numerous and botanical gardens with various species of tropical plants present day of the ancient polis (the old Greek town) of Sage-old civilizations have always in uenced and enriched and centuries-old cus trees, the historical places can Reghion. Situated on the Promenade and dating back its very ancient history, culture and the spirit of the place. easily be reached. Il Duomo the Basilica Cathedral to the IVth century B.C. they were part of the complex Thanks to its particular position, within a radius of very is one of the most important sacred buildings in the system of outer walls which protected the whole coast. few kilometers one can pass from the mild climate of the whole of Calabria and houses valuable works of art Le Terme Romane, instead, go back to the period when Ionian and Tyrrhenian to the coolness of the tourist resort such as the Statues of Saint Paul and Saint Stephan the town was allied to Rome and was an important of Gambarie. With more than ten km. of ski-runs and and the Chapel of the Santissimo Sacramento, one of Municipio of the Roman Empire in Magna Grecia. modern structures, it is the ideal place to spend a pleasant the most important examples of Calabrian baroque. Other places of interest are Villa Genoese Zerbi and the holiday close to nature and sport. But the sea is everywhere Il Castello Aragonese, situated a few hundred metres Teatro Francesco Cilea. The former is in the Venetian with its beauty, its colours and its re ections. Very long away, built at least 1500 years ago, was enlarged with style typical of XIVth century with outstanding colours white beaches mark its contours, facing nearby Sicily and the addition of two cylindrical crenellated towers in and decorative elements. Built in 1925, it periodically the majestic Mount Etna, which are an essential part of a 1459 by Ferdinando d’Aragona. Today certi ed as a houses art and architectural exhibitions. The Francesco landscape which preserves the attraction of memory and national monument, the two towers rise majestically in Cilea Theatre in the Corso Garibaldi, is the biggest of the new, of myth and of progress. the middle of Piazza Castello, where another evocative theatre in Calabria with a typically XIX century great place full of history rises: La Chiesa degli Ottimati, hall and characteristics that evoke classical architecture. in Arab-Norman style. Built in the xth Century and The town is also the seat of a Museo Nazionale which CULTURE AER AND HISTORY destroyed by the Saracen invasions, it contains today houses magni cent memories of the pre-historic, Greek original works and architectural examples among Historical and modern beauties fuse in a and Roman eras and the famous Bronzi di Riace. These which there is a painting of the Annunciazione dating are two imposing statues dating back to the middle unique scenario: the town, which today has back to 1597 and a splendid Romanic mosaic oor. In of the Vth century B.C., which represent the ideal of a modern appearance, preserves monuments the same street there is the oldest Christian church in the perfect hero, the highest symbol of the courageous and ancient remains of great value which the town: La Cattolica dei Greci, whose origins are warrior at the service of his homeland. testify to its centuries-old history. linked to the Christian-Orthodox cult. In a mainly neo-classical style, the front portal in gilded bronze on In every corner, street and square of the town centre it is which we can admire some symbolic scenes of the life possible to admire sacred places, churches, monasteries, of Jesus, is extremely interesting. Again in the historical and a real casket of riches which narrate the heritage centre, at a short distance one from the other, memories CALABRIA AND ITS PORTS 7 THE PORT OF REGGIO CALABRIA LENGTH OF JETTIES TYPES OF SHIPS AND AND DRAUGHTS THEIR LENGTHS HOW TO GET he port of Reggio Calabria, in the Western quay and Length 710 metres Merchant ships, pleasure Wharf Draughts: from 3.30 m to 13 m TO REGGIO CALABRIA Northern part of the town, is made up crafts and fishing boats. Max. Length 200 m. of a semi arti cial basin of a polygonal (western quay) Max. Length BY CAR The main motorway which links the town shape, protected to the West by a 150 m. (western wharf) is the A3 Salerno-Reggio Calabria, the only motorway North-South jetty fully docked. The mouth of the T Base western quay length: 60 m. State administration ships which goes through the whole region. port is 180 metres wide and the following basin is 340 Draught: from 4.20 m. metres wide. The depth of the seabed for berthing To 6.40 m. BY TRAIN Reggio is one of the main junctions in and manoeuvring in the basin varies from 13.2 to 14.2 Launching cradle length 70 m. Ships for passenger transport the national railway system seat of the district o© ces. metres, while the moorings and the draughts go from Draught 7 m. The station of Reggio Calabria Centrale is the termi- 3.30 to 13 metres. The total length of the jetties is 1848 Hydrofoil quay length 48 m. Boats for passenger transport nal both for the Tyrrhenian line which links the town metres. To understand better the size of the structures Draught 7 m.