Discover Bianco: Coast, Wine and Cultural Heritage

Discover Bianco through four distinct themes: the coastal landscape around Spiaggia di Bianco and Capo Bruzzano, churches and works of art, Greco di Bianco wine, and the old village on a low hill. This gives you the chance to decide which of these aspects of the area interests you most during your stay.

A coast of beaches and rock formations

Spiaggia di Bianco is located within the Parco Marino Regionale “Costa dei Gelsomini” (Regional Marine Park). Alongside the beach are the Calanchi Bianchi, limestone formations described as a valuable coastal ecosystem. The stretch of coast between Capo Bruzzano and the nearby pools also includes meadows of Posidonia oceanica. These natural features give the coastal area more than a single scenic perspective.

Spiaggia di Bianco stretches as far as the cliff at Capo Bruzzano, also known as Zefirio. The beach is directly accessible via the Statale 106 Ionica towards Reggio Calabria. At the cape, cliffs and rocks shape the landscape; wind and sea have formed them into striking natural sculptures. The remains of a 16th-century tower are also visible there. Coastal scenery and traces of history meet here, without being reduced to a single theme.

Greco di Bianco and local tastings

Greco di Bianco is a DOC passito wine with an amber hue, a scent of orange blossom and a smooth taste. Traditionally, it is served as an aperitif or with desserts. This gives you a first impression of the aromas described and the occasions on which the wine is enjoyed.

In the Greco di Bianco area, Cantina Maisano offers a picnic experience featuring five local wines, expert guidance from a sommelier and seasonal tastings of regional foods. If you plan to include this experience in your stay, check current booking options and seasonal arrangements in advance. This will help you take into account that the food tastings are seasonal and fit the experience into your travel plans.

Churches, architecture and art

The Chiesa Matrice o di Tutti i Santi is distinguished by a Latin-cross floor plan with a single nave. A square dome covers the crossing, and there are three semi-octagonal apses. The church houses an alabaster statue of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria d’Egitto dating from 1530. It stands on an octagonal base decorated with biblical scenes. The floor plan, spatial layout and statue offer different ways to appreciate the architecture and art together.

Another work of art is a 17th-century canvas painting in the Chiesa Matrice di Bianco. It is by Francesco Cozza and depicts San Michele Arcangelo and San Giovanni Battista. The dated alabaster statue and the painting featuring these two saints are both specific reference points for exploring Bianco’s sacred art.

The Santuario Maria Santissima di Pugliano was built between the 16th and 17th centuries on a site where a Basilian monastery had already stood since the 13th century. Inside, a single nave with decorated stucco, an apse and side niches containing statues of saints shape the space. The sanctuary is on Via Marina along the SS106 Jonica, about 350 metres south of Bianco station. The distance is an approximate guide.

The old village and Bianco’s festival tradition

The old village of Bianco sits on a low hill about three kilometres from the modern town centre. Ruins of the fortification walls and several buildings, along with old portals, have been preserved there. Its hilltop location and historic remains distinguish this part of town from the coastal attractions and churches in the town area.

Bianco’s patron-saint festival in honour of the Madonna di Pugliano takes place during the first fifteen days of August. It culminates in a fireworks display on the night of 15–16 August. If you would like to plan your trip around this festival tradition, check the dates for the relevant year before making plans.

Discover more destinations: Agnana Calabra, Galatro, Villa San Giovanni, Delianuova, Gioiosa Ionica, San Luca, Marina di San Lorenzo, Camini.

For the broader travel overview: Reggio Calabria.