Between Sea and Mountains
A Special Natural Heritage to Discover at Every Turn
Calabria is little known to the public, especially its interior, which begins just a few kilometres from the coast, as the Apennines often rise steeply from the sea. But this is precisely why travellers who have explored this long and narrow region return with indelible and surprising impressions.
A mountainous region with four exceptional parks (Aspromonte, Serre, Sila, and Pollino) and countless villages perched on hills and mountains, often with castles and austere fortresses, which have remained so isolated over the centuries that they have favoured the development of various dialects and the preservation of ancient languages, such as Greek (derived from Hellenistic Greek, spoken throughout the region) or medieval Albanian (imported by the Albanian population in the 15th century).
Welcome
Hospitable character and genuine products: a perfect combination
Greek civilization marked the beginning of one of Calabria’s most prosperous eras, as the numerous and valuable finds in the National Museum of Reggio Calabria attest. It also shaped the hospitable character of the people, who were always friendly and ready to welcome travellers. Traditional hospitality finds its culmination at the table, where the Calabrians share abundant spicy homemade cured meats, strong and full-bodied wine, as well as citrus-flavoured fish and various typical desserts, which also speak of the influences of nearby Sicily.
And how could we not mention typical agricultural products such as the red onion, bergamot, liquorice, Pizzo truffles, and the legendary chili pepper? It’s safe to say that Calabria is a land that has still preserved a rural soul, untouched by mass tourism, and for this reason, it is worth getting to know in its entirety.
GALLERY
