Calanna
Welcome to Reggio Calabria: a modern city with a millenary history
Reggio Calabria, or Rìggiu as the Reggians call it in dialect, is a city of over 170,000 inhabitants located on the eastern coast of the Strait of Messina, in Calabria. The city is the capital of the only metropolitan city of the region and represents the center of an important metropolitan area, with strong social and economic integration between the municipalities on both sides of the strait.
A unique archaeological heritage
The National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria is one of the main points of interest in the city. Here you can admire the collections of Magna Graecia artifacts and the Riace Bronzes, two bronze sculptures from the Greek period dating back to the 5th century BC, that represent a true national treasure.
Physical geography
Reggio Calabria extends for over 30 km along the eastern coast of the Strait of Messina, with hilly and mountainous areas to the east of the city. The historic center of the city is located on a hill about 31 m above sea level, while the facing coast has been leveled on three levels to prevent damage caused by the 1908 tsunami. The city overlooks the Strait of Messina, which separates the city from the western shore where Messina is located.
The oldest city of Greek Calabria
Reggio Calabria has a millenary history, having been founded by Greek colonists in the 8th century BC. The city was an important center of Magna Graecia and hosted several sanctuaries and temples dedicated to Greek gods. Despite its antiquity, the historic center of the city was rebuilt in a modern style after the 1908 earthquake that destroyed much of the settlement.
Reggio Calabria's unique geographical position
Reggio Calabria occupies a unique geographical position in the Mediterranean, being located on the tip of the "boot" of Italy and representing the beginning of the Strait of Messina, the point of junction between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Ionian Sea. The city is also located on the 38th parallel north, which crosses the municipality of Bocale, and near the promontory of Capo Spartivento, the southernmost point of Italy.
Conclusion
Reggio Calabria is a city that combines modernity with millenary history: here you can visit an internationally renowned archaeological museum and admire the beauty of the Calabrian coast. The city's geographical position makes it a unique place in the Mediterranean and represents the starting point for exploring Calabria as well as other regions of Southern Italy.
