Reggio Calabria

Reggio Calabria is one of the oldest cities on the peninsula, founded by the Greeks in the 8th century BC under the name of Rhegion. It was one of the most important centers of Magna Graecia, a crossroads of trade and culture. Over the centuries, it experienced Byzantine, Arab, Norman, and Aragonese dominations, which left their marks on the urban fabric and cultural life. Struck by the 1908 earthquake, like Messina, it managed to be reborn with a modern reconstruction that redefined the face of the city, while maintaining a strong link with its historical identity.

The absolute symbol of Reggio is the National Archaeological Museum, which houses the famous Riace Bronzes, two Greek statues from the 5th century BC that represent a universal heritage. The Falcomatà seafront, lined with palm trees and Liberty-style villas, has been described as “the most beautiful kilometer in Italy” and is one of the most iconic places of the Strait. The city is also a center of vibrant popular and religious traditions, including the festival of the Madonna della Consolazione, which involves thousands of faithful every year.

Reggio Calabria is an economic and commercial hub that plays a pivotal role between Calabria and the Mediterranean. The port and the airport of the Strait connect it with Sicily and other Italian regions, while activities related to trade, agriculture, and services support its economy. Bergamot, cultivated almost exclusively in the province of Reggio, has become a symbolic product, in demand by the perfumery and food industry worldwide.

Reggio Calabria offers an extraordinary artistic and natural heritage. In addition to the Bronzes and the seafront, the Aragonese Castle, the Cathedral, and the Civic Art Gallery deserve attention. From a naturalistic point of view, the Aspromonte National Park offers mountain landscapes, waterfalls, and hiking trails of rare beauty. The beaches of the Reggio coast, such as those of Scilla, Bagnara, and Palmi, attract tourists from all over the world for their crystal-clear waters and breathtaking panoramas.

Reggio’s cuisine is a journey into the flavors of the South. Swordfish, grilled or cooked in the typical “ghiotta” style, is one of the most representative dishes. Alongside it, specialties such as frittole (a traditional dish made with pork), struncatura (a pasta of popular origins now revisited in a gourmet key) and sweets like nzuddi and bergamot ice cream stand out. Bergamot, the typical citrus fruit of the area, is a distinctive feature of Reggio’s gastronomy, used in liqueurs, granitas, and refined preparations that enhance its uniqueness and aroma.

Reggio Calabria looks to the future with the ambition of strengthening its tourist and cultural vocation, enhancing its archaeological heritage and natural beauties. The arrival of the Strait Bridge represents a historic opportunity to improve connections and further integrate the city with Messina, creating a single urban and socio-economic hub. Innovation, sustainable tourism, and the enhancement of local products, starting with bergamot, will be the pillars of the future. Thus, Reggio is preparing to become increasingly a point of reference in the Mediterranean, capable of uniting identity, development, and modernity.