Reggio Calabria Property - All Calabria Property

Reggio Calabria is situated on the toe part of Italy's 'boot'. The pristine beaches along the Ionian Sea through the Strait of Messina act as the separator between Reggio Calabria and Sicily. Reggio Calabria is known by different names, including Reggio for short and officially as Reggio di Calabaria. The rugged rolling mountain range of Aspromonte contributes to Reggio's beauty. The beautiful fishing village of Scilla is located in Reggio Calabria.

Reggio Calabria was founded circa 720 BC by the Greek settlers and is the second oldest city in Italy. It was absorbed into the Roman Republic and Byzantine Empire during their reign. Reggio Calabria was considered to be part of the Kingdom of Sicily and Kingdom of Naples from 1282 to 1860. It was the capital of Calabria until 1970.

Similar to most of the region, clean beaches, heritage buildings and festivals are the highlights of Reggio Calabria. While many ancient structures are still intact, majority of them have been renovated throughout time because they were destroyed by earthquakes. The last recorded earthquake was in 1908. Some structures were also damaged during World War II, when the British Army occupied the region.

The port of Reggio Calabria offers a 20-minute ferry ride to Messina, which is the nearest entry to Sicily from the Calabria region. Reggio Calabria's economy is supported by the agriculture industry which produces olive oil, wine, cheese, citrus fruits such as the Bergamot orange and tobacco.

The modern Reggio Calabria is a thriving metropolis, with property developments, holiday resorts and thousands of tourists arriving every month. Set around the old city centre, the ancient Fort and the recent piazza join hands to provide a historic trail in the middle of the city.

Starting from the central city and heading down to the coast, a visitor can see old churches, piazzas, market halls, parliament buildings, sanctuaries and monuments throughout Reggio Calabria. The Greek and Roman past of Reggio Calabria has contributed a lot to its culture and traditions and this fact is evident in the local architecture, customs, celebrations and even cuisine.

Most of the archaeological discoveries from ancient Calabra and Lucana are held in the local museum. The Bronze Statues of Riace (Bronzi di Riace) is the popular exhibit here. Other artefacts on display include objects from the Hellenistic period and the pre-historic era.

The basilica was damaged in the 1908 earthquake, but rebuilt under the patronage of Father Carmelo Angelini. It's often crowded in September because of the Madonna della Consolazione procession.

A park rich in archaeological, historical and artistic value, the Aspromonte National Park is located in the south of Apennines. A two kilometre mountain rise and the Mediterranean sea coast are on either side of the park. Natural habitat include some rare species such as the Bonelli's eagle and Woodwardia radicans, the tropical fern. A variety of botanical beauties can be found here, including silver firs, Holm Oaks and Mediterranean maquis.

The Castle of Aragonese dates back to 536 AD and was used as a Byzantine fort. Latter day rulers have changed some of its structure to include ditches and larger guest halls. The castle is among the most enchanting Spanish forts in Italy.

The Reggio Calabria beaches are somewhat man-made due to its sands been brought in from the coastal areas of Gioia Tauro. The area is well-developed to include a range of lidos, bars, cafes and restaurants. Mount Etna and the coasts of Sicily can be viewed from the beach. A visit to the beach can be extended with a long walk through the lungomare (promenade), which runs parallel to the national park and falls across the sea's edge.

Reggio Calabria is developing, but infrastructure and public services are still in its infancy. It's recommended to hire a car as soon as you arrive in Calabria and drive along the highway to get around. If you follow the coastal roads, you'll find yourself among the popular tourist attractions. Road maps can be obtained from the airports in Calabria.

Heavily influenced by its past, Reggio Calabria offers a wide range of typical Mediterranean cuisine to satisfy your palate. From locally produced meats, vegetables and fruit to cheese, wine and seafood, the types of dishes available are sure to make you enjoy your holiday even more.

Local festivals celebrate food, wine and life in Reggio Calabria, so make sure you are there to participate in a few. The Swordfish Festival, Madonna del Carmine Procession and the Parade of the Faithful and Tambourine Players are some of the interesting events to check out while in Reggio Calabria.

The beach resorts in the local area will have several nightlife venues and an eclectic mix of fine dining and entertainment of your choice.

Calabria is a developing property market, with a range of newly completed properties and ongoing projects. As part of this market, Reggio Calabria offers property investors plenty of opportunity to buy residential and commercial space as investments or for family living. Tax benefits and incentives are available for foreign ownership of property in Calabria.