Four unique days following the traces of ancient civilizations. From the National Museum of Reggio Calabria, with its bronze warriors famous the world over, to the sanctuaries of Locri and to the rich and powerful Sybaris, the largest city in Magna Grecia after Taranto.
Day 1
The Ancient Rhegion and the Violet Coast
After check-in at the hotel, we will visit the National Museum of Magna Grecia in Reggio Calabria, which has an extremely rich collection of finds coming from the ancient Rhegion and neighbouring areas. The underwater archaeology section contains the “Bronzes of Riace”, the large statues made in the 5th century B.C. portraying two warriors, totally unique among ancient art works. In the afternoon we will go to Scilla, on the enchanting violet coast, and will continue on to Palmi, with a visit to the interesting Museum of Ethnography and Folklore. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
2
Tropea, the Queen of the Gulfs
Breakfast and departure for Tropea, the splendid town in a dominant position overlooking the two gulfs of S. Eufemia and Gioia. We will visit the lovely Benedictine sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola, built on a small promontory. In the afternoon, we will move on to Vibo Valentia, where we will be able to visit the Vito Capialbi Archaeology Museum, situated in the Norman Castle since 1996. Dinner and overnight stay.
3
The Archaeological Area of Locri Epizefiri
We will devote the day to the archaeological excavations of Locri Epizefiri, on the slopes of the Aspromonte. The ancient
settlement dates from the late 8th century B.C. Within the vast archaeological area, various temples, sanctuaries, and necropolises have been found. In Contrada Marasà we will visit the main temple of the area of Locri, situated before the
Antiquarium. In the afternoon, we will proceed towards Roccella Ionica and, in the evening, leave for Crotone. Dinner and overnight stay.
4
The Ancient Kroton
It was the mythical hero Kroton who gave his name to the city of Crotone, where we will visit the 16th-century Castle, built where the acropolis of the ancient city once stood, the Cathedral, where the Byzantine-style panel of the Madonna of Capo Colonna is kept, and the National Archaeology Museum, with a rich collection of articles from prehistoric times to the Roman age. In the locality of Capo Colonna, we will be able to admire the remains of the sanctuary dedicated to Hera
Lacinia, dating from the 6th century B.C. In the evening, transfer to Sibari. Dinner and overnight stay.
5
Sybaris and Return
The ancient Sybaris was the first and richest Achaean colony in Italy, founded in the 8th century B.C. and destroyed by the Crotoniates in 510 B.C. The archaeological discoveries that led to the finding of the site date from the 1930s. We will visit the large new structure, to the northeast of the digs, which today contains the Museo Nazionale della Sibaritide,
exhibiting the finds coming from the urban area and the territories controlled in ancient times by Sybaris. In the evening, return to Reggio Calabria.
