In Calabria, precisely in the province of Reggio Calabria, lies Aspromonte, an enchanted place thanks to its rich historical and natural heritage. An area rich in uncontaminated forests silhouetted against the coast, imposing natural monuments, wild watercourses criss-crossed by evocative rock formations, and where one can find evocative landscapes and live unforgettable experiences. Crossing Aspromonte means coming into contact with the magic of this geographical area that has seen not only human presence over millennia, but also fauna and flora miraculously surviving conditions that are hard to imagine. Therefore, Aspromonte can be considered a true paradise of biodiversity. A trip to Aspromonte can be an almost exotic but certainly exciting experience: caves, waterfalls, canyons are just some of the treasures hidden in this beautiful area.

What to see in Aspromonte

Aspromonte is one of the most beautiful and fascinating tourist destinations in Calabria. Its unspoilt nature and historical monuments that have remained intact for hundreds of years offer visitors an unforgettable experience. Moreover, the area is rich in outdoor activities such as trekking and mountain biking that satisfy even the most demanding. When one thinks of what to see in Aspromonte, the first thing that comes to mind is its breathtaking landscapes. The area is rich in wild mountains with the highest peak being Mount Montalto at 1955 metres. One of the most remarkable panoramic views is offered by Monte Scifo, whose view sweeps over unspoilt nature with mountains, valleys, forests and flowering meadows. Among the many tourist attractions in the area is the beautiful Lake Constantine, once called Lake of the Oleanders due to the presence of these trees surrounding it. The shores of the lake are ideal for spending time outdoors in peace and quiet, picnicking and trekking in the unspoilt nature of the area. In Aspromonte, nature meets archaeology and the past becomes part of the present. History enthusiasts, therefore, cannot miss the ancient vestiges of Greco-Roman civilisation and have the opportunity to take a plunge into the past by visiting various archaeological sites such as theatres, temples, walls and other historical buildings scattered throughout the region. Among the archaeological sites in the area, Locri Epizefiri is one of the most significant. Trekking enthusiasts will find it interesting to explore some of the most famous hiking trails, such as the Sentiero dei Greci (also known as the Sentiero di San Nicodemo or Sentiero della ‘Seja’), located in the Aspromonte National Park in the municipality of Mammola. These hikes will allow you to fully appreciate the area’s wild beauty and admire breathtaking landscapes with views of the crystal-clear sea and the surrounding wild mountains. Another way to discover Aspromonte is to participate in the many traditional festivals that enliven the region throughout the year. One of these is the celebration of the Carnveale di Stilo (Carnival of Stilo), which takes place in the historical centre of the village. This event is accompanied by traditional music, folkloristic dancers, stalls with typical local products, and exhibitions of local handicrafts that make this celebration even more special. Visiting Aspromonte will not only offer you the opportunity to discover one of Italy’s most enchanting tourist destinations, but also to immerse yourself in the local culture and its Mediterranean cuisine, rich in tasty Greek-inspired ingredients such as feta cheese, olives and extra virgin olive oil. Moreover, Aspromonte is also an ideal starting point to visit other beautiful places in the region and its many villages.

Calabrian traditions and culture in Aspromonte

with its countless churches and monasteries, which have helped to identify the Rocca as a kind of Monte Santo.worth a visit is the village ofIl territorio dell’Aspromonte è ricchissimo di tradizioni storiche e culturali. La regione di Calabria, come è ben noto, rappresenta uno dei luoghi più antichi e popolati d’Italia, un luogo che già nell’era preromana era sede di diverse culture che hanno lasciato una profonda impronta culturale nella regione. Il patrimonio storico e culturale dell’Aspromonte è uno dei più ricchi di tutta Italia. Le tradizioni calabresi sono legate principalmente alla coltivazione della terra e al contatto con la natura. La regione ha la più alta concentrazione di agricoltura biologica del Paese e rappresenta un ottimo esempio di agricoltura sostenibile. Un altro aspetto importante delle tradizioni calabresi è la produzione di vini, formaggi e olive. In particolare, i vini calabresi hanno un gusto unico e unmistakable that makes them among the most appreciated by Italian wine connoisseurs. Culinary traditions are another important aspect of Calabrian culture. Among the main specialities are: the crumbly wheat bread baked in a wood-burning oven, capocollo, ‘pappaluni’ beans, the Aspromonte potato; among the cheeses, Limina goat cheese, smoked ricotta, canestraio; almond-filled nougat; honey; extra virgin olive oil; and the passito Greek wine that is produced in a small area of the village of Gerace, outside the Greco di Bianco DOC area. Cultural traditions also embrace Calabrian folk music, known to be among the oldest forms of folk music in Europe. The music is generally instrumental and accompanied by folk dances. Among the most popular musical genres are the ‘tarantella’ and the ‘tammurriata’. In addition, Calabrian traditions and culture in Aspromonte are also linked to the local architecture. The region is known for its ancient villages built on tuff and its historic stone farmhouses. In addition to the aforementioned village of Stilo, meritano una visita il borgo di Bova, with its ancient Norman vestiges, of which the castle ruins and tower remain, as well as the village of Gerace con le sue innumerevoli chiese e monasteri, che hanno contribuito a identificare la Rocca come una sorta di Monte Santo.

For nature lovers, the 5 activities to do in Aspromonte

In Aspromonte, there are many activities that can be done and they are truly suitable for everyone. They are hiking, trekking, diving, birdwatching and adventure. Let’s take a look at five that are among the most popular. – Hiking One of the easiest activities to do in Aspromonte is hiking. An activity that requires no special preparation, you will only need a pair of comfortable shoes and plenty of energy to enjoy this mountain paradise. There are several trails that offer breathtaking views, such as those in the Aspromonte Regional Nature Reserve. During the walk, experienced guides will accompany you along well-marked paths. – Trekking For the more adventurous, Aspromonte also offers the possibility of trekking. The region is indeed rich in paths that allow you to enjoy the beauty of nature and the splendour of the surrounding landscape. The best known paths are those of the Laverde River Gorge, or the ascent of the Allaro torrent, both well signposted and to be tackled with expert guides. This is certainly a more demanding activity than hiking, but it certainly offers great satisfaction to those who decide to undertake it. – Diving The Aspromonte is not only mountain but also sea! In this region, you can in fact dive in several places along the Ionian coast of Calabria. The area is characterised by crystal-clear water and very rich seabed and is inhabited by numerous marine species such as crustaceans and colourful fish that make diving even more interesting and fascinating. There are several specialised dive centres that also offer courses for beginners to learn the basics of safe scuba diving. – Birdwatching Aspromonte is also a paradise for birdwatchers. Numerous bird species can be spotted in the mountain areas, including hawks, golden eagles, owls, buzzards and hoopoes. The Aspromonte Regional Nature Reserve is in fact the ideal habitat for many animal species, including numerous ornithological species that can be observed in their natural beauty during an excursion in the National Park or during the various guided excursions organised by the various birdwatching centres in the area. – Adventure Aspromonte also offers the opportunity to have fun in some of the adventure parks in the area, such as AsproPark, immersed in nature and greenery, which offers a varied and interesting programme of different outdoor activities designed for everyone, young and old.

Land of Bergamot and beyond

toIn the Grecanica area of Aspromonte, where a dialect similar to ancient Greek is still spoken in some villages, the cuisine is deeply linked to the peasant and pastoral culture, made up of a few but essential ingredients. The symbol dish of the area, whose origin is Magna Graecia, is ‘i maccaruni’: a fresh, handmade pasta made by rolling a piece of dough around a reed or a knitting needle and seasoned with a pork and beef or goat ragout. Also typical of this area of Calabria are capocolli, soppressate, ‘nduja’ and sausages always enriched with chilli pepper and fennel. Particularly interesting are the sweets that follow the mould of the Sicilian confectionery tradition, among which the torrone (nougat) stands out, filled with soft almond paste or chopped almonds and covered with wafers, iced sugar or chocolate. Aspromonte is also the land of Bergamotto, whose fame is linked to the invention in 1704 of the first eau de cologne made with bergamot essence, the work of a Piedmontese perfumer who emigrated to Cologne, Germany. A particular citrus fruit that, thanks to its organoleptic and health properties, particularly beneficial for cholesterol, has become a PDO product. Today, bergamot is also used in cooking and its consumption is similar to that of lemon: sliced pulp, drops of juice, etc. In particular, its pulp lends itself perfectly to beverages, confectionery specialities, jams, liqueurs, but also to give a very special touch to first and second courses based on meat, fish, rice and pasta. Although Aspromontan cuisine is rich in ancient flavours, the area’s chefs contribute to revisiting traditional dishes in a creative and innovative manner while maintaining and transmitting the area’s cultural richness in terms of flavours, smells and ancient folk traditions.