Reggio di Calabria is a bustling port town that serves as a transportation hub for the region, with travelers often passing through on their way to nearby Sicily. Stay around a while to explore the city itself for pleasant rewards. Discover one of Italy’s most compelling collections of ancient objects and artworks and explore the pretty seafront promenade, which offers views out across to the smoke-spewing Mount Etna volcano.
Though the town has been occupied since ancient times, very few historical buildings or ruins remain intact. A devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami in 1908 destroyed much of the city. Only a few structures predate the earthquake. Look for the restored towers of the Aragonese Castle, which are now used to host events and concerts. Also worth viewing is the Cathedral of Calabria. The cathedral was rebuilt following the earthquake and is one of the biggest religious buildings in the province.
The town’s biggest attraction is the Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia, which draws visitors from across the continent. Browse the exhibits and examine all kinds of items from Neolithic, Paleolithic, Greek and Roman times. Most famous among the pieces displayed are the Riace Bronzes, two Greek statues of naked warriors dating from about 450 B.C. For more culture, survey the exhibits at the Pinacoteca Civica, which include works from local artists spanning the 15th to 20th centuries.
There is no better setting for an evening stroll, or passiagetta as the locals call it, than Reggio di Calabria’s Lungomare Falcomatà. Admire views of the glittering blue waters of the Strait of Messina. On a clear day, you may even see across to Sicily and the towering Mount Etna volcano.
Trains connect Reggio di Calabria to other Italian cities as well as several other European destinations. The Reggio Airport is located just south of town. Head to the port to catch a boat to the nearby island of Sicily.
