Calabria
Calabria is referred to as the “toe” of the Italian “boot”. It borders Basilicata to the north, Sicily to the southwest, the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west, and the Ionian Sea to the east. The region of Calabria consists of five provinces, Catanzaro, Cosenza, Crotone, Reggio di Calabria, and Vibo Valentia. Calabria has over 700 kilometers of coastline and is therefore a very popular vacation spot with Europeans. While the coastal areas have a warm, Mediterranean climate, the mountainous interior is a constant cool climate. The coast and the mountains are the main attraction for tourists.
There are many interesting places to visit in Calabria. Reggio offers beautiful art and architecture including the Greek statues of the Irace Bronzes. It also offers beautiful crystal-clear beaches.
Scilla, Tropea, and Nicotera are all captivating towns located on the Tyrrhenian coast to the north of Reggio. Tropea is perched above the Tyrrhenian Sea on the Coast of the Gods and is stunningly beautiful with fantastic beaches.
Capital – Catanzaro
Catanzaro is the capital of the province as well as the capital for the whole of Calabria. It is built on a rock that is split into two parts by the Fiumarella valley. The two sections are connected by a huge concrete steel bridge called the Viadotto Morandi. The bridge is the second-largest concrete arch bridge in the world and the second-largest arch in Europe. Catanzaro is the second largest city in Calabria with a population of over 90,000.
Catanzaro sits between two seas, the Tyrrhenian to the west and the Ionian to the east. Catanzaro has become the lace capital of Europe with a large silkworm breeding facility that produces all the laces and linens used in the Vatican.
Foods of Calabria
Lagane e Cicciari
Made with chickpeas, garlic, olive oil, onions, white wine, parsley and lagane – an anciet type of eggless durum wheat pasta shaped into wide ribbons.
Parmigiana
Prepared with layers of fried eggplant topped with tomato sauce with basilico, pecorino, provola, or mozzarella. Some regions add boiled eggs, Calabrian sausage.
Pasta e Alici
Pasta made with anchovies, toasted breadcrumbs. It is one of the oldest and more traditional of this region.
Zippuli
Dried donuts filled with anchovies or sardines and mozzarella cheese.
Stuffed Aubergines
Eggplants filled with bread and cheese covered in tomato sauce and baked.
Nduja
Buttery pork salume. It is a soft spreadable salume made of ground pork parts and Calabrian chilies.
Tartufo
Is usually composed of two or more flavors of ice cream, often with either fruit syrup or frozen fruit, typically with raspberry, strawberry or cherry.