Things to Do and See in Reggio Calabria

Reggio Calabria, the capital of the province of the same name, is world-renowned for the famous Riace Bronzes, two bronze statues discovered in 1972 near Riace, considered among the most significant sculptural masterpieces of Greek art and among the direct testimonies to the great master sculptors of the Classical era. The statues can be admired alongside other historical artifacts in the Archaeological Museum, established in 1882. Other major monuments include the Cathedral, where the Madonna della Consolazione, patron saint of the provincial capital, can be admired on the high altar, and the Aragonese Castle, another testament to a history shaped by centuries of conquerors and ruling powers. Throughout the rest of the province, there are numerous towns where one can discover traces of Magna Graecia culture, starting with Scilla and its fortress crowned by the Castello dei Ruffo, and continuing through the Grecanica region with the towns of Bova, Condofuri, Gallicianò, Roccaforte del Greco, and Roghudi. The ancient village of Brancaleone Superiore still features the ruins of the castle and the remains of the church dedicated to the Madonna dell’Annunziata; meanwhile, in Bagnara, the Saracen Tower is worth a visit, and in Locri, you’ll find the archaeological remains of the Temple of Marasà and the Greek Temple. Finally, near Gioia Tauro, there is an interesting archaeological site and an archaic necropolis, as well as several medieval villages and noble palaces, such as Oppido Mamertina in Scido.