Gerace
Member of I Borghi più belli d'Italia
Legend says a sparrowhawk led people fleeing the coast up to this sandstone rock, 500 metres high and ten kilometres inland from Locri. Gerace became a Byzantine and then Norman stronghold, and once counted 128 churches. Its cathedral is the largest in Calabria, its nave lined with columns from the temples of ancient Locri, and from the castle and the Bombarde terraces the view runs down to the Ionian Sea.
Highlights
- The Norman cathedral, with ancient columns, crypt and museum (IT)
- San Francesco, with the Ruffo sarcophagus and an inlaid Baroque altar
- San Giovannello, a tenth-century church now of Orthodox rite
- The castle ruins at the top of the town, with views over the Locride
- Il Borgo Incantato, an international street-art festival in the lanes
Text adapted from Wikipedia (Gerace (IT), Gerace (EN)), Wikivoyage (Gerace (IT), Gerace (EN)). Available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Population: 2,353
Events through the year
- Patronal feast
Dates follow the traditional patterns in our sources: check locally before you travel.
Adapted from Wikipedia (Gerace). Available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Specialities of Calabria
Typical of the region rather than of this village.
- Soppressata calabrese (IT)Cured meat
- Pasta ca muddica e aliciDishSpaghetti with anchovies, oil and toasted breadcrumbs
- Pasta 'ncasciataDishPasta with meat ragù, eggs and cheese, baked between fried aubergines
- StroncaturaBread and pasta
Adapted from Wikipedia (Cucina calabrese). Available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to sleep
5 places to stay within 3 km
- B&Bs and guest houses 3
- Hotels 1
- Campsites 1
Data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Thermal baths nearby
- Thermal spa: Terme di Agnana · ~30 min by car
Data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).