A holiday to live in colour
WHAT TO SEE IN ITALY: CULTURAL JONICA TOUR IN CALABRIA COUNTRY
CULTURAL JONICA in CALABRIA COUNRY
CULTURAL JONICA
Start of itinerary 9:00 am
end of itinerary 18:00
38 euro per person
What to see in ITALY: Defined as one of the "most beautiful villages in Italy", Gerace is one of the centres richest in history in Calabria and Italy, where history, legend and myth coexist timelessly. Entering the town, one first encounters the Village, with its potters' workshops carved out of the tufa rock, and then reaches the historic centre, which preserves highly evocative views and architectural gems.
A village to discover and a village to be discovered and savoured, where the charm and art of Gerace continue along the small squares, narrow streets, walls of houses and buildings full of history.
TO VISIT
Medieval church of San Francisco
Portal of St. Francis Church 1200- Full of beautifully situated palaces, set on a narrow edge of rock [...] Marvel at the many views that appear on every side; every rock, sanctuary or palace in Gerace seemed to be arranged and coloured especially for artists... "
(Edward Lear - Diary of a walking tour - 1847)
Full of beautifully situated palaces, set on a narrow edge of rock [...] Marveled at so many views presented on every side; every rock, Sanctuary or palace in Gerace seemed to be arranged and coloured especially for artists... "
(Edward Lear - Diary of a walking tour - 1847)
Medieval Cathedral
The largest church in the whole of Calabria, built in the last Byzantine period and completed in the early Norman period. The grandiose and evocative interior, in the shape of a Latin cross, is divided into three naves by two rows of 10 columns, some of which come from Locri Epizefiri, and differ in quality, type and size. The crypt, where the Treasure Museum is located, is very suggestive.
Medieval Castle
Built in the 12th century, the castle is located in the highest part of the ancient village, overlooking all the valleys around Gerace.
Byzantine churches of San Giovannello and Annunziata
Situated in the suggestive Piazza delle Tre Chiese (the third church is that of San Francesco), they originate from the Byzantine period. The roof of the church of the Annunziata, made of local majolica, is significant.
The "Bombarde"
Spectacular viewpoint, with a single glance embracing almost one hundred kilometres of coastline.
Santa Maria del Mastro Church
Solemn and austere in its volumes, the church has a central plan and stands in the evocative Piazza della Repubblica, located in the main village at the entrance to Gerace.
The medieval gates
Gerace had twelve gates, four of which still exist and are the Porta dei vescovi or della meridiana (next to the Cathedral), door di Santa Lucia, door maggiore and door of sun.
Square of the Tocco
The city's main square, so called because this was the location of the loggia where business was transacted. The Town Hall stands here.
FOOD AND WINE
Gerace cuisine is inspired by the most genuine country traditions, with simple ingredients and flavours, including olive oil, chilli peppers and fresh tomatoes. Pork dishes are the undisputed protagonists;
Desserts such as: the 'sgute', typical of Easter, the 'pignolata', fried shortcrust pastry covered with honey, the 'zzippuli' and the 'nacatule', characteristic of the Christmas period; the 'pitte di San Martino', the 'rafioli', very special biscuits made of flour, sugar, eggs and icing; pears and dried figs, stuffed with almonds and sprinkled with icing sugar.
Finally, the prized dessert wine produced in Gerace is renowned:
Greco, with its characteristic amber yellow colour, obtained from high quality grapes, left to dry on racks before being pressed.
Afternoon
Visit to the museum of contemporary art (musaba) in Mammola
Nik Spatari and Hiske Maas talk about the contemporary art museum project.
Clothing: Wear comfortable shoes for the walking tour of Gerace and the visit of the musaba museum of contemporary art.
Included in the cost
Tourist guide
Entrance to museums and cathedral without tickets
