Motta San Giovanni
Reggio Calabria: the city of the Strait of Messina
Reggio Calabria, also known as Rìggiu in Reggio dialect and Rìghi in Greek-Calabrian dialect, is the capital city of the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria in Calabria, Italy. The city is the most populous municipality in the region and the only Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria. As the seat of the Regional Council of Calabria, it is the political capital of the area. Reggio Calabria is part of the Strait's urban agglomeration, an urban agglomeration that includes various municipalities on the Calabrian side of the Strait of Messina. Together with the metropolitan area of Messina, it represents the heart of the Metropolitan Area of the Strait of Messina, a conurbation resulting from the urban continuity with strong social and economic integration between the municipalities on the two sides of the Strait.
Reggio is a very ancient city, with a history dating back over 3000 years as a flourishing city of Magna Grecia. However, much of its modern urban layout was rebuilt after the catastrophic Messina Earthquake of 1908, which destroyed much of the settlement.
The geographical position and territory of Reggio Calabria
The city extends along the eastern coast of the Strait of Messina for about 32 km and towards the east, from sea to mountains, for another 30 km approximately, with areas of half-coast, hilly and mountainous. The municipal territory covers a total area of 236.02 km², from a minimum altitude of 0 meters to a maximum of 1,803 m a.s.l..
The historic center of Reggio Calabria was rebuilt at an average altitude of 31 m a.s.l., leaving the lower coastal part free from civil constructions due to the high seismic hazard of the area. The entire coast in front of the historic center has therefore been leveled on three levels, low seafront, high seafront and botanical strip. The main nucleus of the city is located between the Annunziata river to the north and the Calopinace river to the south. The rest of the municipal territory extends from Catona to the north to Bocale to the south.
Reggio Calabria is located on the southern tip of Italy, at the foot of the Aspromonte. To the west it overlooks the Strait of Messina, a stretch of sea about 3.5 km wide that separates it from Messina on the opposite shore. The city is also located exactly in the center of the former Roman Mare Nostrum.
The National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria
The National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria is one of the most important places in the city. It displays collections of Magna Graecia artifacts and the beautiful Riace Bronzes, which have become one of the identifying symbols of the city.
The museum houses numerous works of art and artifacts dating back to ancient Greece. Among the exhibited works are the famous Riace Bronzes, two ancient statues from the classical period preserved in an exemplary and perfect manner. These, together with other works of art, allow the recreation of the history of the city and its ancient Greco-Italic culture.
Monuments of Reggio Calabria
Reggio Calabria is a city rich in historical and artistic monuments of great value. Among these, the following stand out:
- The Aragonese Castle, an ancient fortress built to protect the city from attacks by Saracen pirates.
- The Cathedral of Reggio Calabria, built in neoclassical style at the end of the eighteenth century after the destruction of the old cathedral.
- Corso Garibaldi, the main street of the city, which crosses the historic center.
Conclusions
Reggio Calabria is a city with ancient roots and a history rich in events. Today, it preserves the memory of a Greco-Italic civilization and represents a place of great cultural interest for all visitors. With its monuments and museums, Reggio Calabria is able to offer an unforgettable experience to all those who visit it.
