Reggio di Calabria: Museums, History and Lungomare

The sights tell different stories about the city. You can choose the cultural focus of your stay based on whether you are particularly interested in Magna Graecia, the city’s history, art collections or music.

Museums of Magna Graecia, Art and Music

The exhibitions at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Reggio Calabria include artefacts from the great Greek cities of Magna Graecia, as well as the Bronzi di Riace. The museum therefore offers an archaeological focus that encompasses both the heritage of the Greek cities and the famous bronze statues. If you want to make culture a focus of your stay, this collection is a natural point of reference for the region’s history.

At the Pinacoteca Civica di Reggio Calabria, eleven exhibition rooms are divided into five sections covering a total of 500 m². The Pinacoteca preserves and displays works of art, most of which are owned by the city of Reggio Calabria. The oldest works date from the 15th to the 19th century. The details about the rooms, layout and area give you a clear idea of the collection’s size and structure; in terms of content, it differs from the archaeological focus of the national museum.

The Museo dello Strumento Musicale offers another perspective, with a collection of 800 musical instruments from around the world. A multimedia screen lets visitors see and hear the instruments being played. Thus, alongside archaeological and fine art collections, Reggio Calabria also highlights musical instruments and their sounds.

Historic Sites and Architectural Styles

Castello Aragonese was founded during the Byzantine era, between the 9th and 11th centuries. At the Mura Greche, a surviving section of wall draws attention to the city’s former defences: it stands where the western walls turned east and closed Reggio’s defensive ring to the south. The Mura Greche are considered an important testament to both the city’s history and classical Mediterranean civilisation.

The Basilica Cattedrale di Reggio Calabria is also part of the city’s history: it was elevated to the status of a minor basilica in 1978. The Teatro Cilea, meanwhile, has a 19th-century-style auditorium with a horseshoe-shaped layout. These sites offer different perspectives, from the history of the city’s defences and ecclesiastical significance to the architecture of a theatre auditorium.

Lungomare, Park and Archaeological Visits

Lungomare Falcomatà is a natural extension of the historic centre. Walks along the Lungomare lead to the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Reggio Calabria. Parco Urbano Il Tempietto is on the shore of the Strait of Messina and forms the final connecting section of the monumental Lungomare Italo Falcomatà. The park has facilities for outdoor sports, including beach soccer, basketball, roller skating and cycling, as well as sensory play equipment for children.

Evening tours are organised for the Ipogeo, the Mura Greche, the Terme Romane and the Odeion. If you would like to include one of these tours in your stay, check the dates before visiting. For a practical reference when planning, the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Reggio Calabria is two minutes from Reggio Calabria Lido railway station.

Bergamot and Recurring Traditions

The Museo del Bergamotto offers hands-on workshops on making bergamot marmalades, preserves, liqueurs, cakes and creams. The workshops add the processing of the fruit to the museums and history on offer. Check the workshop dates and booking conditions before visiting.

One annual tradition is the veneration of the sacred Effigie in Reggio Calabria, which takes place from the second Saturday in September until the last Sunday in November. This set period may be relevant when planning your trip if you are interested in the city’s religious traditions.

Discover more destinations: Caulonia, Sant'alessio In Aspromonte, Pellaro, San Ferdinando, Oppido Mamertina, Bovalino Marina, Condofuri, Marina Di Caulonia

For the main travel overview: Reggio Calabria.