Aspromonte, an enchanted place between history and nature

In Calabria, precisely in the province of Reggio Calabria, stretches Aspromonte, an enchanted place thanks to its rich historical and natural heritage. An area rich in unspoiled forests silhouetted toward the coast, imposing natural monuments, wild waterways crossed by striking rock formations, and where one can find evocative landscapes and live unforgettable experiences.

To cross Aspromonte is to get in touch 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 prove to 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 unspoiled nature and historical monuments that have remained intact for hundreds of years offer visitors an unforgettable experience. In addition, the area has a wealth of outdoor activities such as trekking and mountain biking that will satisfy even the most discerning visitor.

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 represented by Mount Montalto with its 1955 meters in height. One of the most remarkable panoramic views is offered by Mount Scifo, whose views sweep over unspoiled nature with mountains, valleys, forests and flowering meadows.

Among the area's many tourist attractions is the beautiful Lake Constantine, once called the Oleanders because of the presence of such trees surrounding it. The shores of the lake are ideal for spending quiet time outdoors, picnicking and trekking in the unspoiled nature of the area.

In Aspromonte, nature meets archaeology and the past becomes part of the present. History buffs, therefore, cannot miss the ancient vestiges of Greco-Roman civilization and have the opportunity to take a plunge into the past by visiting various archaeological sites such as theaters, temples, walls and other historical buildings scattered throughout the region. Among the archaeological sites in the area, that of 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 Trail of the Greeks (also known as the San Nicodemo trail or the "Seja" trail), located in the territory of the Aspromonte National Park, in the municipality of Mammola. These hikes will allow you to best appreciate the wild beauty of the area 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. Prominent among these are the celebrations of the Carnival of Stilo, which takes place in the historic center of the village; this event is accompanied by traditional music, folkloric dancers, stalls with local products and displays of local crafts 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. In addition, Aspromonte is also an ideal starting point for visiting other beautiful places in the region and its many villages.

Calabrian traditions and culture in Aspromonte

The territory of Aspromonte is extremely rich in historical and cultural traditions. The region of Calabria, as is well known, represents one of the oldest and most populated places in Italy, a place that already in the pre-Roman era was home to various cultures that have left a deep cultural imprint on the region.

Aspromonte's historical and cultural heritage is one of the richest in all of Italy. Calabrian traditions are mainly related to the cultivation of the land and contact with nature. The region has the highest concentration of organic farming in the country and is an excellent example of sustainable agriculture.
Another important aspect of Calabrian traditions is the production of wines, cheeses and olives. In particular, Calabrian wines have a unique and unmistakable taste that makes them among the most appreciated by Italian wine connoisseurs. Culinary traditions are another important aspect in Calabrian culture.

Among the main specialties are: crumbly wheat bread baked in a wood-fired oven, capocollo, "pappaluni" beans, and the Aspromonte potato; among 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 area of the Greco di Bianco DOC.

In addition, 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. Popular musical genres include "tarantella" and "tammurriata."

In addition, Calabrian traditions and culture in Aspromonte are also linked to the architecture of the place. The region is known for its ancient villages built on tuff and its historic stone farmhouses. In addition to the aforementioned village of Stilo, the village of Bova, with its ancient Norman vestiges, of which the ruins of the castle and tower remain, as well as the village of Gerace with its countless churches and monasteries, which helped identify the Rocca as a kind of Monte Santo, are worth a visit.

For nature lovers, the 5 activities to do in Aspromonte

In Aspromonte, many only activities that can be done and are really suitable for everyone. These are hiking, trekking, diving, birdwatching and adventure. Let's look at 5 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 need a pair of comfortable shoes and a lot of energy to enjoy this mountain paradise. There are several trails that offer breathtaking views, such as those in the Aspromonte Regional Nature Reserve. Along the way, experienced local guides will accompany you along well-marked trails.

- Trekking For the more adventurous, Aspromonte also offers the possibility of trekking. The region is, indeed, really rich in trails that allow you to enjoy the beauty of nature and the splendor of the surrounding landscape. The best known trails are those of the Laverde River Gorge, or the ascent of the Allaro stream, both of which are well marked and should be tackled together with experienced guides. This is certainly a more challenging activity than hiking, but it certainly offers great satisfaction to those who decide to undertake it.

- Diving Aspromonte is not only mountains but also the sea! In this region you can in fact dive in several spots located along the Ionian coast of Calabria. The area is characterized by crystal clear waters and really rich seabed and is inhabited by numerous marine species such as crustaceans and colorful fish that make diving even more interesting and fascinating. There are several specialized dive centers that also offer courses for beginners to learn the basics of safe scuba diving.

- Birdwatching Aspromonte is also a paradise for birdwatchers. In the mountainous areas, in fact, numerous bird species can be spotted, including hawks, golden eagles, owls, buzzards and hoopoes. In fact, the Aspromonte Regional Nature Reserve is the ideal habitat for many animal species, including numerous bird species that can be observed in their natural beauty while hiking in the National Park or during the various guided excursions organized by the various birdwatching centers in the area.

- Adventure Aspromonte also offers the opportunity to have fun in some of the adventure parks in the area, such as AsproPark, surrounded by nature and greenery, which offers a varied and interesting program of different outdoor activities designed for everyone, young and old.

Land of Bergamot and beyond

In the Grecan area of Aspromonte, where even today in some villages a dialect similar to ancient Greek is still spoken, the cuisine is deeply linked to the peasant and pastoral culture, consisting of a few but essential ingredients.

A symbolic dish of the area, whose origin is Magna Graecia, are "i maccaruni": a fresh handmade pasta made by rolling a small piece of dough around a reed or a knitting needle and seasoned with pork and beef or goat ragout.

Typical of this area of Calabria are then capocolli, soppressate, "nduja" and sausages always enriched with chili and fennel.

Particularly interesting are the sweets that follow the mold of the Sicilian confectionery tradition, among which the torrone stands out, filled with soft almond paste or chopped almonds and covered with wafers, frosted sugar or chocolate.

Aspromonte, moreover, is the land of Bergamot whose fame is linked to the invention in 1704 of the first eau de cologne made with bergamot essence, the work of a perfumer from Piedmont who emigrated to Cologne, Germany. A particular citrus fruit that has become a PDO product due to its organoleptic and health properties, particularly beneficial for cholesterol.

Today, bergamot is also used in cooking and its consumption is similar to that of lemon: sliced pulp, juice drops, etc. In particular, its pulp is perfectly suited for soft drinks, confectionery specialties, jams, liqueurs, but also to give a very special touch to first and second courses of meat, fish, rice and pasta.

Although Aspromontane cuisine is rich in ancient flavors, local chefs contribute to revisiting traditional dishes in creative and innovative ways while maintaining and conveying the cultural richness of the area in terms of flavors, smells and ancient folk traditions.