Hidden gems in Calabria

Hidden Gems of Calabria

Calabria’s landscape holds layers of history, from the Paleolithic rock engravings at Romito Cave to the Greek ruins of Capo Colonna and Locri Epizephyrii. This collection features the Roman mosaics of Casignana, the Byzantine Castle of Sant'Aniceto, and the 11th-century Norman ruins of Castello di San Michele. Visitors can explore the Cistercian Abbey of Santa Maria di Corazzo and the cave-dwelling sanctuary of Santa Maria della Stella. These sites represent the region's complex heritage, including Magna Graecia, Roman engineering, and medieval fortifications.

Hidden Gems of Calabria — Map

Flinkies / Public domain

A

Temple of Juno Lacinia

The Temple of Juno Lacinia is a ruined ancient Greek temple at the heart of a sanctuary dedicated to Hera located on Capo Colonna in…

Michelvincenzo / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Scylletium

Scylletium or Skylletion or Scolacium was an ancient seaside city in Calabria, southern Italy.

AlMare / CC BY-SA 2.5

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Locri Epizephyrii

Epizephyrian Locris, also known as Locri Epizephyrii, was an ancient city on the Ionian Sea, founded by Greeks coming from Locris at the…

Huston / Public domain

D

Romito Cave

The Romito cave is a natural limestone cave in the Lao Valley of Pollino National Park, near the town of Papasidero in Calabria, Italy.

Marcuscalabresus / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Roman Villa Palazzi di Casignana

The extensive, luxurious Roman villa Palazzi di Casignana is located on the seashore and near the ancient road linking ancient Locri and…

Marcuscalabresus / CC-BY-SA-3.0

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Hermit of Santa Maria della Stella

Hermit of Santa Maria della Stella or Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Stella is an Italian hermitage, sited in a natural cave at Pazzano on…

Ferdinando Chiodo / Public domain

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Abbazia di Santa Maria di Corazzo

Ruined 11th-century Cistercian abbey in the Corace valley. It is historically significant as the site where the theologian Joachim of Fiore took his vows and served as abbot during the 12th century.

Raffaele Esposito / CC-BY-SA-3.0

H

Castello Svevo

An 11th-century fortress built on the Pancrazio Hill in Cosenza. Originally a Saracen structure, it was expanded by the Normans and later renovated by Emperor Frederick II in the 13th century.

Cirimbillo / CC BY 3.0

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Castle of Sant'Aniceto

The Castle of Sant'Aniceto is a Byzantine castle built in the early 11th century on a hill in Motta San Giovanni, now in the province of…

Marcuscalabresus / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Caulonia

Caulonia or Caulon was an ancient city on the shore of the Ionian Sea near Monasterace, Italy.

Jacopo Werther / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Terme Romane

Archaeological remains of a Roman thermal complex featuring mosaic floors. Located along the seafront of Reggio Calabria, these baths date back to the 1st and 2nd centuries AD.

Daniele Napolitano / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Castello di San Michele

11th-century Norman castle ruins, also known as Castello dell’Abatemarco. Located on a rocky outcrop, the site preserves medieval defensive walls and towers overlooking the Lao Valley.

RoTurbo / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Castello della Valle

A 13th-century fortress in Fiumefreddo Bruzio, significantly modified during the Renaissance. The site contains contemporary frescoes by Salvatore Fiume, painted within the ruins of the palace walls.

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provincia di Cosenza Essentials Must-See Landmarks in Calabria Castles and Fortresses of Calabria Religious Heritage of Calabria Culture and Arts in Calabria Coastal Escapes in Calabria Calabria Outdoor Escapes