Gerace, in Calabria, is known for its medieval architecture (Photo: Gunold/Dreamstime)
English Italian

Gerace is located in the province of Reggio Calabria and is part of the Aspromonte National Park, so the village is surrounded by lush forests, rolling hills, and fertile plains, which make it an ideal location for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. Visitors can explore the park’s stunning natural landmarks, including the Marmarico Waterfalls, the Montalto Forest, and the Amendolea River.

Tucked away in the southern region of Calabria, Italy, lies the stunning medieval village of Gerace. The village, situated on a hilltop overlooking the Ionian Sea, is a hidden gem often overlooked by tourists. However, those who take the time to explore this charming village will be rewarded with a rich history, breathtaking views, delicious cuisine, and fascinating curiosities. 

The village was likely founded by the Greeks in the 8th century BC and then taken by the Romans, the Byzantines, and the Normans. Each of these conquerors left their mark on its architecture and culture, resulting in a unique blend of styles and traditions. If you love art and architecture, Gerace has a lot to offer to you: from the remains of its ancient walls to its Norman Castle, from its Gothic Cathedral to the many Baroque churches that dot the village’s landscape. The Norman Castle, built in the 10th century, offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside and the sea. The Cathedral, also known as the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, is a Gothic masterpiece that boasts a stunning rose window and intricate frescoes. Visitors can also explore Palazzo San Francesco, a former monastery that has been converted into a museum showcasing the village’s history and art.

But Gerace is also full of fascinating curiosities that will surprise and delight its visitors, like its underground tunnels. Some historians believe that the tunnels were created during the Greek and Roman periods, possibly for military or defensive purposes. However, there is limited archaeological evidence to support this theory. Others believe the tunnels were built in the Middle Ages, possibly by the Normans who conquered the area in the 11th century. This hypothesis is based on the architectural style of the tunnels themselves and on the fact they lead to Gerace’s Norman Castle. Of course, there are also some legends to mention, including stories of secret underground passages used by the Knights Templar and hidden treasures. Today, some of these tunnels have been restored and are open to visitors as part of guided tours of the town. 

A detail of Gerace Cathedral’s exterior (Photo: Gunold/Dreamstime)

Just like the rest of Calabria, Gerace is also known for its delicious cuisine, characterized by its use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, bold flavors, and spicy seasonings. Some of the most famous products in Gerace — and Calabria! — are ‘nduja, a spreadable salami made with pork meat, hot red pepper, and spices; caciocavallo, a type of cheese made from cow’s milk, typically aged and smoked; and soppressata, a spicy, dry-cured sausage made with pork meat and seasoned with fennel seeds. While in Gerace, you should try spaghetti alla Calabrese, a pasta dish made with tomato sauce, chili peppers, garlic, and olive oil.

Last but not least, Gerace has a plethora of cool events to enjoy, like the Fiera di San Giorgio, which is the most important fair in Gerace and takes place on April 23rd, the feast day of the town’s patron saint, Saint George. The fair is a colorful and lively event that attracts thousands of visitors from all over Italy. There are food stalls, artisanal products, and various cultural and musical events. If you are there in July, you participate in the traditional Festa della Madonna del Carmine, on July 16th, dedicated to the town’s patroness, the Virgin of Mount Carmel. The celebration includes a procession through the town’s streets, fireworks, and a fair with food and traditional products. If you like antiques and curiosities, you’ll be happy to know that Gerace has its own mercatino dell’antiquariato, which takes place on the second Sunday of every month. 

Gerace is located in the province of Reggio Calabria and is part of the Aspromonte National Park, so the village is surrounded by lush forests, rolling hills, and fertile plains, which make it an ideal location for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. Visitors can explore the park’s stunning natural landmarks, including the Marmarico Waterfalls, the Montalto Forest, and the Amendolea River.

The village was likely founded by the Greeks in the 8th century BC and then taken by the Romans, the Byzantines, and the Normans. Each of these conquerors left their mark on its architecture and culture, resulting in a unique blend of styles and traditions. If you love art and architecture, Gerace has a lot to offer to you: from the remains of its ancient walls to its Norman Castle, from its Gothic Cathedral to the many Baroque churches that dot the village’s landscape. The Norman Castle, built in the 10th century, offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside and the sea. The Cathedral, also known as the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, is a Gothic masterpiece that boasts a stunning rose window and intricate frescoes. Visitors can also explore Palazzo San Francesco, a former monastery that has been converted into a museum showcasing the village’s history and art.

But Gerace is also full of fascinating curiosities that will surprise and delight its visitors, like its underground tunnels. Some historians believe that the tunnels were created during the Greek and Roman periods, possibly for military or defensive purposes. However, there is limited archaeological evidence to support this theory. Others believe the tunnels were built in the Middle Ages, possibly by the Normans who conquered the area in the 11th century. This hypothesis is based on the architectural style of the tunnels themselves and on the fact they lead to Gerace’s Norman Castle. Of course, there are also some legends to mention, including stories of secret underground passages used by the Knights Templar and hidden treasures. Today, some of these tunnels have been restored and are open to visitors as part of guided tours of the town. 

Just like the rest of Calabria, Gerace is also known for its delicious cuisine, characterized by its use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, bold flavors, and spicy seasonings. Some of the most famous products in Gerace — and Calabria! — are ‘nduja, a spreadable salami made with pork meat, hot red pepper, and spices; caciocavallo, a type of cheese made from cow’s milk, typically aged and smoked; and soppressata, a spicy, dry-cured sausage made with pork meat and seasoned with fennel seeds. While in Gerace, you should try spaghetti alla Calabrese, a pasta dish made with tomato sauce, chili peppers, garlic, and olive oil.

Last but not least, Gerace has a plethora of cool events to enjoy, like the Fiera di San Giorgio, which is the most important fair in Gerace and takes place on April 23rd, the feast day of the town’s patron saint, Saint George. The fair is a colorful and lively event that attracts thousands of visitors from all over Italy. There are food stalls, artisanal products, and various cultural and musical events. If you are there in July, you participate in the traditional Festa della Madonna del Carmine, on July 16th, dedicated to the town’s patroness, the Virgin of Mount Carmel. The celebration includes a procession through the town’s streets, fireworks, and a fair with food and traditional products. If you like antiques and curiosities, you’ll be happy to know that Gerace has its own mercatino dell’antiquariato, which takes place on the second Sunday of every month. 

Nascosto nella regione meridionale della Calabria, in Italia, si trova lo splendido borgo medievale di Gerace. Il villaggio, situato su una collina che domina il Mar Ionio, è un gioiello nascosto spesso trascurato dai turisti. Tuttavia, coloro che si concedono il tempo per esplorare questo affascinante villaggio saranno ricompensati con una storia ricca, panorami mozzafiato, una cucina deliziosa e curiosità affascinanti.

Gerace si trova in provincia di Reggio Calabria e fa parte del Parco Nazionale dell’Aspromonte, il paese è circondato da boschi lussureggianti, dolci colline e fertili pianure, che lo rendono un luogo ideale per escursioni a piedi, in bicicletta e a cavallo. I visitatori possono esplorare i meravigliosi punti di riferimento naturali del parco, tra cui le Cascate del Marmarico, la Foresta di Montalto e il fiume Amendolea.

Il villaggio fu probabilmente fondato dai Greci nell’VIII secolo a.C. e poi preso dai Romani, dai Bizantini e dai Normanni. Ciascuno di questi conquistatori ha lasciato il segno nella sua architettura e cultura, dando vita a una miscela unica di stili e tradizioni. Se amate l’arte e l’architettura, Gerace ha molto da offrire: dai resti delle antiche mura al Castello Normanno, dalla Cattedrale gotica alle numerose chiese barocche che costellano il paesaggio del borgo. Il Castello Normanno, costruito nel X secolo, offre una vista mozzafiato sulla campagna circostante e sul mare. La Cattedrale, nota anche come Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, è un capolavoro gotico che vanta uno splendido rosone e intricati affreschi. I visitatori possono anche esplorare Palazzo San Francesco, un ex monastero che è stato convertito in un museo che mostra la storia e l’arte del paese.

Ma Gerace è anche ricca di affascinanti curiosità che sorprenderanno e delizieranno i visitatori, come i suoi cunicoli sotterranei. Alcuni storici ritengono che i tunnel siano stati creati durante il periodo greco e romano, forse per scopi militari o difensivi. Tuttavia, ci sono prove archeologiche limitate a sostegno di questa teoria. Altri ritengono che i tunnel siano stati costruiti nel Medioevo, forse dai Normanni che conquistarono la zona nell’XI secolo. Questa ipotesi si basa sullo stile architettonico delle gallerie e sul fatto che conducono al Castello Normanno di Gerace. Naturalmente, ci sono anche alcune leggende da menzionare, tra cui storie di passaggi sotterranei segreti utilizzati dai Cavalieri Templari e di tesori nascosti. Oggi alcune di queste gallerie sono state restaurate e sono visitabili con tour guidati della città.

Proprio come il resto della Calabria, anche Gerace è nota per la sua deliziosa cucina, caratterizzata dall’uso di ingredienti freschi e di provenienza locale, sapori decisi e condimenti piccanti. Alcuni dei prodotti più famosi di Gerace – e della Calabria! — sono la ‘nduja, un salame spalmabile fatto con carne di maiale, peperoncino piccante e spezie; il caciocavallo, formaggio di latte vaccino tipicamente stagionato e affumicato; e la soppressata, un insaccato piccante e stagionato fatto con carne di maiale e condito con semi di finocchio. Mentre siete a Gerace, dovreste provare gli spaghetti alla calabrese, un piatto di pasta fatto con salsa di pomodoro, peperoncino, aglio e olio d’oliva.

Infine ma non meno importante, Gerace ha una miriade di eventi interessanti da godere, come la Fiera di San Giorgio, che è la fiera più importante di Gerace e si svolge il 23 aprile, il giorno della festa del santo patrono della città, San Giorgio. La fiera è un evento colorato e vivace che attira migliaia di visitatori da tutta Italia. Ci sono stand gastronomici, prodotti artigianali e vari eventi culturali e musicali. Se ci andate a luglio, partecipate alla tradizionale Festa della Madonna del Carmine, il 16 luglio, dedicata alla patrona del paese, la Vergine del Carmine. La festa prevede una processione per le vie del paese, fuochi d’artificio e una fiera con cibi e prodotti tipici. Se vi piacciono l’antiquariato e le curiosità, sarete felici di sapere che Gerace ha il suo mercatino dell’antiquariato, che si svolge la seconda domenica di ogni mese.


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