Italy's Property Hotspots

Reggio Di Calabria

Reggio di Calabria is the largest and oldest city in the region and was once the capital – until 1970/71 when Catanzaro became the capital of Calabria. It is still home to the Regional Council of Calabria. It is on the very tip of the ‘toe’ of the Italian boot, separated from Sicily by only a kilometre of water: the Strait of Messina. Within the city limits live around 200,000 inhabitants but the surrounding urban areas are home to many more. Extensively rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1908, the city is set out in a modern grid layout.

Over the years Reggio di Calabria has seen many changes. It was founded in the 8th century BC by Greek settlers who called their new city Rhegion. Over the following centuries it was occupied in turn by Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and Normans. Nowadays it is a peaceful spot – well known as a tourist resort and busy port. Although much of the city only dates back to the extensive rebuilding post-1908, there are some fascinating buildings and an eclectic mix of architectural styles. There is a beautiful theatre, the Aragonese Castle, and the Cathedral. The National Museum of Reggio has an important collection of ancient art. Reggio di Calabria’s seafront esplanade was described by the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio as the “finest mile in Italy” and backing on to the sea front you will find the beautiful botanical gardens. Behind the city is the peak of the Aspromonte massif, stretching up to 1800 metres above sea level.

Reggio di Calabria is ideally located at a hub of road and rail networks, and the international airport is only a mile outside the city centre. There are also ferry and hydrofoil links to Sicily.

Tropea

Known as “the pearl of the Tyrrhenian coast”, Tropea is probably the best known location in Calabria. Perched on a cliff surrounded on three sides by the most beautiful, crystal clear turquoise seas and a stunning, white sandy beach on the fourth, it’s easy to see why Tropea has been a popular holiday destination for Italians for many years. Beach lovers will be in seventh heaven here – the whole Tyrrhenian coast, from Pizzo Calabro to Nicotera is packed with beaches, many of which are Blue Flag. Venture away from the beaches and you will find yourself in verdant valleys and hills with citrus groves, fragrant bougainvillaea, jasmine and verbena: everything you imagine the Mediterranean countryside to be.

It’s easy to get lost in Tropea’s maze of lanes – many of which unexpectedly open out into pretty squares where you can enjoy a drink and a meal. It is a fascinating town, with many of the houses built into the cliff-side and decorated with lavishly frescoed entrances. The Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria Della Isola is well worth a visit – it is built on a rocky promontory stretching out into the sea. The Norman Cathedral has on display a couple of unexploded bombs from the Second World War.

In the summer months, Tropea plays host to numerous music festivals and its attractive town squares become venues for open air concerts.

Caulonia

Caulonia is a peaceful and sleepy town, with a population in the region of 8000. Perched on a hilltop dotted with orange and lemon trees and jasmine, 300 metres above sea level, the town offers beautiful views of sparkling blue seas. There is a small museum, with an interesting collection of Byzantine and medieval artifacts – this is a town with a long history dating as far back as the 7th century BC when Caulonia was part of the territories of Ancient Greece. There are eight churches in Caulonia, many of which have fascinating statues from the Byzantine era. The Church of San Zaccaria is home to a mechanical nativity scene, which is visited by hundreds of people every year, from all over Italy.

Lamezia

Lamezia is an important commercial centre and the major city on the Tyrrhenian Sea side of Italy in the 500 kilometre stretch from Salerno to Reggio di Calabria. It was formed by the unification of three villages: Nicastro, Sambiase and Sant’Eufemia. Just outside the city is Lamazia Terme international airport, and this – in combination with the city’s proximity to the main A3 motorway – makes Lamezia an excellent base for exploring the region. Around Lamezia you will discover gorgeous rocky coves and golden sandy beaches – many of which you will have entirely to yourself. The city is packed with history: Nicastro has a Norman castle and a 17th century cathedral where you will find the tomb of Isabel of Aragon; Sambiase is home to thermal baths at the spa of Caronte. The Archaelogical Museum is well worth a visit for its superb collection of antiquities, not least of which are the famous ‘Bronzi di Riace’ – two enormous statues of Greek warriors dating back to the 5th century BC. The surrounding area is one of Calabria’s most important agricultural regions, producing wine, strawberries, olives, aubergines, wheat, raisins, pepper and chillies. The superb local cuisine reflects this wealth of locally grown ingredients.

Roccella Jonica

Roccella Jonica is a small coastal town 70 kilometres south of Catanzaro – it’s a popular holiday destination, particularly amongst Italians, and has numerous hotels, bars and restaurants. The town is divided into two parts – an ancient medieval part set into a hillside and the more modern part of town which centres around the Marina on the quayside. Apart from tourism, the town’s economy is based around fishing and the production of olive oil. Every August, Roccella Jonica plays host to an International Jazz festival which brings musicians and fans from all over Italy and the rest of the world. Concerts are performed at venues all over town – indoors and out, with perhaps the most unusual venue being a small arena built into a rocky outcrop overlooking the crystal clear, turquoise sea of the Mediterranean.

Crotone

Crotone is a large town on the Ionian Sea, with a history dating back as far as 710 BC. In 530BC Pythagoras founded a school there and Croton, as it was then known, was considered one of the most significant cities of Magna Graecia (Greater Greece) Its population nowadays is in the region of 70,000 and it is known as a regional centre of culture with a National Archaelogical Museum, Municipal Art Gallery and a Provincial Museum of Contemporary Art. Its magnificent cathedral is home to the Icon of the Black Madonna, which was reputedly brought here in the early days of the Christian era, from the east. Some of the oldest parts of the cathedral date back to the 9th century, though it has been extensively rebuilt. Another interesting place to visit is the 16th century castle of Charles V which houses the town museum.

Crotone has an airport – Sant’Anna – and also benefits from close proximity to the main A3 motorway which links with the A1 to provide fast and easy access all the way up into northern Italy. There is also a train station and the marina is a stop off for charter yachts. An important fishing port, Crotone is well known for its amazing seafood restaurants and the town has a good selection of cafes, bars, shops and lively nightlife. Just over a hour’s drive takes you to the Sila Mountains where you can, in season, enjoy a good day’s skiing or, off-season, explore numerous pretty mountain villages.