Galatro
Welcome to Galatro: a little paradise on the slopes of Serre
Dear readers, welcome to Galatro! This splendid town with 1421 inhabitants is located in the metropolitan city of Reggio Calabria, in Calabria. Its name in Greek-Calabrian dialect is "Galotyrio" or "Galatron", but for us it will simply be Galatro.
Origins of the name
Although the town was founded in the Middle Ages, the origins of the name Galatro date back to ancient Greece. Galatro derives from the Greek "galaktos" which means "milk", probably due to the presence of fertile pastures and livestock in the area.
History
Galatro has an ancient history full of events. During the Middle Ages, the town grew thanks to the arrival of refugees from nearby cities that were often plagued by the continuous attacks of Saracen pirates. In 1075, the Basilian monks arrived in Galatro and founded an important monastery dedicated to Saint Elijah, as it was said that the body of the saint was kept there.
It was actually the monks who discovered the thermal springs of Mount Livia, sulfurous waters with excellent healing properties that still feed the Terme di Galatro today, located 186 meters above sea level and particularly renowned. Galatro is known for the skill of its artisans, who recreate wonderful works of art.
After the earthquake of 1783, Galatro was rebuilt at an altitude of 158 meters above sea level. In the town, there are numerous cultural attractions such as the church of San Nicola, inside which there is an altar with statues from the early 16th century attributed to the school of Gagini and a marble statue of San Nicola dating back to the 15th century. The succursal church, rebuilt thanks to the money of Signora Deodato with a contract notarized by Notary Marcantonio Morano in 1828, was located in the upper part of Galatro. Meanwhile, on the bank of the Metramo river, there was the main church, which was hit every winter by floods.
Terme di Galatro
The presence of sulfurous water sources has given fame to the town especially for the thermal facilities. The water flows from the "Sant'Elia source", so named for the presence of a Basilian monastery, of which some remains are still preserved. The water flows at a temperature of 37°C and is classified as sulfurous-salty-iodine water. The source is located about 2 km from the town, in a narrow gorge of Mount Livia.
The current thermal establishment was born from the restoration of the one built in 1882, just downstream of the sources. The Terme di Galatro, embellished by a breathtaking view, offer a wide range of services to ensure visitors a relaxing and regenerating experience. Here you can enjoy curative and beauty treatments, saunas, steam baths, and thermal pools, as well as enjoy the numerous outdoor activities such as trekking, horse riding, and canoeing.
Conclusions
Dear readers, we hope you enjoyed this brief tour of Galatro. As you may have understood, the town has much to offer beyond its beautiful landscapes. Here you can enjoy pleasant moments of relaxation and a good dose of culture. So, do not hesitate to visit this little paradise on the slopes of the southwestern Calabrian Serre. We are waiting for you with open arms!
