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Archeoderi Archaeological Park holds significant evidence of Calabria's history, a place of worship identified as an ancient Synagogue.

The land of Calabria, with its thousands-years-old history, has been visited by all the Mediterranean peoples. All of them have found means of sustenance here, leaving behind traces of their presence.The Jews deserve special mention.

Traces of Jewish Settlements in Calabria

The Jews deserve special mention. Their presence in Calabria is evidenced by numerous references, in documents and in the many household tools found almost everywhere in the region. But the most amazing proof of their presence, and a visitor’s must, are the monumental traces of a Jewish settlement preserved in Archeoderi Archaeological Park, in Bova Marina.These Jews lived stably in this most southern tip of Italy, where they also built a synagogue. The remains of this Synagogue came to light during excavations triggered by accident. The patterns and depictions of a mosaic floor have allowed archaeologists to identify this place of worship as a Synagogue.

Archeoderi and the Oldest Synagogue in Italy, after the one in Ostia

This is the oldest Synagogue in Italy, after the one in Ostia: dating back to the 4^th century A.D., its mosaics depict typical Jewish worship items a seven-branched candelabrum, a ram’s horn, Solomon’s knot, a cedar. But what was a synagogue doing in the deepest part of Calabria?

San Pasquale – the site where it was built –  is a bay with very ancient traces of human settlements. In this site there used to be shrines of other cults as well. It was thus an important place, where the presence of man was closely linked to the benevolence of deities. In this place in Roman times there was a rest station; finds of Italic inhabitants before the Greeks have been found here; the name ‘Deri’ itself suggests the toponym ‘Delia’, a city of which no traces have yet been found.

What is certain is that a sea current flowing from Alexandria to Egypt and crossing the  Mediterranean reaches this very part of the coast. Its natural position might have made it the logical site for a Jewish settlement, perhaps of Alexandrian Jews, who used it as a landing point before sailing off again to the Western and Northern Mediterranean.

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Reggio Calabria
Reggio Calabria is located at the tip of the 'Boot', on the slopes of the Aspromonte Park, on the eastern shore of the Strait of Messina, from which it enjoys spectacular views of Sicily, Mount Etna and the Aeolian Islands. Traditionally called the City of Fata Morgana because the rare optical-mythological phenomenon of the Fata Morgana occurs here, during which the Sicilian coast seems to be only a few metres away, making it possible to distinguish houses, cars and people very well. Reggio is well known for its famous Riace Bronzes, a symbol of its Magna Graecia origins. National Archaeological Museum: considered one of the most important museums of Magna Graecia (MARC), it houses the well-known Riace Bronzes, the two sublime warrior figures that represent the ideal image of classical Greek culture, in which the naturally perfect human body becomes a manifestation of the harmony of the universe. Lungomare Falcomatà: defined by Gabriele D'Annunzio as "the most beautiful kilometre in Italy", it is populated by palm trees, magnolias, flowers and exotic plants that form a long botanical garden and an ideal setting for events and shows of all kinds. 

 The avenue is adorned with Art Nouveau buildings and enriched by elements that indirectly trace the city's history, such as numerous memorials, a monumental fountain and some archaeological sites, evidence of Greco-Roman antiquity. Corso Garibaldi: bustling and full of shops, the city's main artery represents the new face of the city. The Cathedral of Reggio Calabria: it is the largest church in Calabria with its white and bright façade, punctuated by half-columns, enlivened by mullioned windows with two lights and small arches, decorated with rose windows and reliefs. Inside, the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament represents with its polychrome marble the most significant expression of Reggino baroque. The Aragonese Castle: of very ancient origin, today only the two cylindrical crenellated towers remain, giving it its characteristic 'Aragonese' appearance.

The Riace Bronzes are located at the MARC in Reggio Calabria

 Discovery and Recovery of the Riace Bronzes: the modern history of the two Bronzes began on 16 August 1972, when the Carabinieri recovered two bronze statues on the seabed off the coast of Porto Forticchio di Riace Marina – on the Ionian coast of the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria – acting on a report by a diver from Rome, Stefano Mariottini. Near the site where the Bronzes had been lying there were no other ancient artefacts that might have held some clues as to how they had ended up there in the first place. This was the beginning of the great mystery of the Riace Warriors, yet to be solved.

Porto Forticchio where the Riace Bronzes were found 

Rescue operations were coordinated from Porto Forticchio by Giuseppe Foti, then the head of the Direction for Archaeological Heritage of Calabria. Porto Forticchio is an ancient port, with traces of an ancient breakwater and a tower from the Angevin period built on one of the surrounding hills. The tower used to serve as a tax post for goods entering the Kingdom of Sicily by sea.

Restorations of Bronzes. Their transfer to Florence

After some initial restoration work conducted at the Museum of Reggio, in January 1975 the two Bronzes were moved to Florence, where they were entrusted to the hands and care of two restorers, Renzo Giachetti and Edilberto Formigli. It took them a whole year to thoroughly clean the statues and acquire basic data about them. Restoration works at the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence lasted 5 years.

The Bronzes were finally shown to the public in an exhibition held at the Archaeological Museum of Florence, from 15 December 1980 through 24 June of the following year. The exhibition enjoyed tremendous success, so much so that Sandro Pertini, then President of Italy, asked for the two statues to stop in Rome, at the Quirinale, between 29 June and 12 July 1981, on their way back to Reggio. The two bronzes gained enormous popularity and success both in Rome and then back ‘home’ at the National Museum of Magna Graecia in Reggio.

Other two restorations in Reggio Calabria

As already observed during the first restoration works, the presence of molding sand inside the two statues has always been their main problem. This sand, like a sponge, had been absorbing brackish water for centuries, which it kept releasing, thus contributing to gradual and constant bronze decay. To overcome this problem, two different restoration sites were set up in Reggio: one, at the Museum, between 1992 and 1995, where innovative mechanical equipment was employed; and a second one at the headquarters of the Calabria Regional Council between 2010 and 2013, when the bronzes were completely emptied of any old clay they would still contain. After this process, both statues lost half the weight they had when discovered.

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Gerace

Defined as one of the 'most beautiful villages in Italy', Gerace is one of the most historically rich centres in Calabria and Italy, where history, legend and myth coexist timelessly. Entering the town, one first encounters the Borgo, with its ceramists' workshops carved out of the tufa rock, and then reaches the historic centre, which preserves highly suggestive views and architectural gems. A village to be discovered and savoured, where Gerace's charm and art continue along the small squares, narrow streets, walls of houses and buildings full of history. Visit the Mediaeval Cathedral - The largest church in the whole of Calabria, built in the late Byzantine period and completed in the early Norman age. The grandiose and evocative interior, in the shape of a Latin cross, is divided into three naves by two rows of 10 columns, some of which come from Locri Epizefiri and differ in quality, type and size. The crypt where the Museum of the Treasury is located is very suggestive. Mediaeval Church of San Francesco - Built in 1252 and located in the picturesque Piazza delle tre Chiese (Three Churches Square), the Church of San Francesco offers visitors a beautiful altar entirely inlaid in marble, as well as a mediaeval sarcophagus by Nicola Ruffo.

The beautiful Gothic entrance portal is beautifully crafted. Medieval castle - Built in the 12th century, the castle is located in the highest part of the ancient village from where it dominates all the valleys around Gerace. Byzantine Churches of San Giovannello and dell'Annunziata - Located in the picturesque Piazza delle Tre Chiese (the third church is that of San Francesco), they originate from the Byzantine period. The roof of the Church of the Annunziata made of local majolica is significant. Chiesa Santa Maria del Mastro - Solemn and austere in its volumes, this church with a central plan, stands in the evocative Piazza della Repubblica, in the Borgo maggiore, at the entrance to Gerace. Le "Bombarde" - Gerace's promenade, created in the vegetable garden of the Ancient Convent of Sant'Anna now used as a hotel. The medieval gates - Gerace had twelve gates, four of which still exist and are Porta dei vescovi or della meridiana (leaning against the Cathedral), Porta di Santa Lucia, Porta maggiore and Porta del sole. Piazza del Tocco - the city's main square, so called because this was where the loggia where business was done was located. Here stands the Town Hall.

Locri Epizephyrii Archaeological Park is located in Locride, one of the most attractive tourist sites, after the Grecanic area, both for its landscapes and history.

This area has been inhabited since the Iron Age, as documented by the discovery of numerous chamber tombs in several inland necropolises. Here, Greek settlers experimented with forms of peaceful coexistence –i.e., in Gerace –  or of harsh confrontation – i.e., in  Roccella,  where archaeological evidence was found of violent clashes with native populations. The ancient colony of Locri ended up ruling over a very large area, which, from the coasts of the lower Ionian Sea, would establish and rule over colonies as far as the Tyrrhenian side slopes of Aspromonte. 

La casa dei Leoni (House of the Lions)

In the south-eastern part of the city, in the Centocamere district, you can visit an early 5^th century BC shrine dedicated to Aphrodite, later incorporated into a wealthy 4^th-3^rd century BC house, the so-called House of the Lions. According to archaeologists, the house was a shrine dedicated to Adonis. A little farther on, there is a U-shaped portico, with many votive wells. It might have been  a guesthouse for pilgrims or a place for sacred prostitution. Next to it there is the Centocamere quarter, protected by a wall segment and two gates, dating from the Hellenistic period. In this area, there are numerous, even large-sized kilns of different types.

Casino Macrì

Going west, you will first find the Casino Macrì, a large 19^thcentury manor house that incorporates a Roman bath, whose frigidarium overlapped a block of the Greek city, with the remains of a street and some dwellings. Later, between the 2^ndand 6^th century AD, the area of the Casino was used for residential housing.  Walking farther down, you arrive in Petrara, the Roman town of Locri, with houses, streets, and the city forum. 

Theater of Locri

On the slopes of the Cusemi hill, a little higher than Dromo, you can visit the Greco-Roman theatre of Locri, built around mid 4^th century B.C.. In Roman times, it was adapted to hold shows featuring gladiators fighting ferocious beasts. The lower rows were removed in order to erect a wall to protect the audience. During this renovation, also perimetral walls were built to contain the cavea, and wooden poles were driven into the ground to erect a velum roof to hide spectators from the sun.

Scilla and the village of Chianalea
One of Calabria's most beautiful and characteristic seaside villages in Italy, situated between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the slopes of Aspromonte and with a spectacular view of the Strait of Messina and the Aeolian Islands. And at sunset, the incredibly clear sea takes on those incredible hues that have earned this stretch of coastline the name Costa Viola. The main economic activity is obviously tourism; fishing, particularly swordfish, remains important. Cereals, olives, citrus fruits, wine and fruit are produced, sheep farming and cattle and pig breeding are practised; the forest industry and handicrafts are developed. Worth seeing. Chianalea, a historic fishermen's district, literally lying on the surface of the water: a single long jasmine-scented alley winds between the houses perched on the rocks and battered by the Tyrrhenian Sea during winter storms. The Ruffo Castle in Scilla, built in the 14th century on the remains of a Basilian monastery with anti-Saracen functions, was the residence of the ancient and noble Calabrian Ruffo family. Its churches: the 16th century Church of San Francesco da Paola, the Mother Church of the Spirito Santo, an example of 18th century Baroque style, the Church of the Immacolata and the Church of the patron saint San Rocco.

Stilo

Stilo, on the slopes of Mount Consolino, was the birthplace of Tommaso Campanella. One of the most representative centres of history and culture in the whole of Calabria. Villages, churches, monuments and the cathedral known as Cattolica, a unique example of Byzantine art. Events include the Palio di Ribusa, a historical re-enactment. This spectacular medieval village is also famous for the celebrated Cattolica di Stilo, a true jewel of Byzantine art and architecture, a UNESCO heritage site, set in the living rock in one of the most beautiful and panoramic points of the town, from which one can admire the Stilaro valley and the sunny village, which, as in a Guttuso painting, presents itself with houses with their roofs covered by the characteristic 'ceramides' between the green of the prickly pears and the blue of the sea. The historical centre also offers us fine works such as the Cathedral (13th century), with a beautiful Gothic portal with small smooth and twisted columns and elegant Romanesque bas-reliefs, the 'Fountain of the Dolphins' of clear oriental matrix, the majestic Convent of San Domenico, the medieval Porta Stefanina, the church of San Francesco one of the most beautiful churches of the Calabrian 18th century, the church of San Giovanni Therestis stupendous Baroque achievement and many beautiful views.

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Monasterace Marina Archaeological Park and Caulonia Museum

The Majestic Doric Temple of Monasterace

The discovery of the ancient Achaean colony of Kaulon is due to the work of the great archaeologist Paolo Orsi. He was the first, in the early 20^th century, to identify the site in today’s Punta Stilo, just north of modern Monasterace Marina. During the construction of the Punta Stilo lighthouse, architectural terracotta was found at the base of the hill where the lighthouse was to be built.

Today, the site is home to the Monasterace Marina Archaeological Park. This site features a remarkable amount of finds visible on the surface, including a majestic Doric temple, dating back to the 5^th century B.C., with a perfectly preserved sandstone basement. The building – 41 metres long by 18.20 metres wide – featured a cella with a pronaos, a front entrance portico, and stairs going up to the roof made of marble tiles from Paros. 

Monasterace’s Unique Mosaics 

This Archaeological Park also has a museum exhibition reconstructing the history of the ancient colony. Of particular note are two uniquely beautiful mosaics, both depicting a dragon. One of them, with its 25 square metres surface, is thought to be one of the largest mosaics ever found in Europe. Other artefacts of considerable interest are the ‘Tabula Cauloniensis’ – a tablet dedicated to Zeus dating back to the 5^th century B.C. and written in the Achaean alphabet –, as well as numerous silver coins. As a matter of fact, the polis of Kaulon was the first in the world to mint coins with this precious metal, which at the time was mined in the hinterland Stilaro valley. 

Submerged Ancient Kaulon

Archeological artefacts that have emerged due to coastal erosion have spurred underwater excavation campaigns, that have exposed the site of the submerged ancient Kaulon.  Numerous architectural elements were found, including finely decorated column shafts from Doric-style temples and buildings.