Impressions

    Between the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas, is stretched the Calabrian land, which climbs from fine sands to the natural paradise of Sila.
    Glimpses of unspoiled charm, in which the human presence is rarefied, offer deep feelings of peace and tranquility, being therefore attractive place for rest and contemplation.
    Among the endless and peaceful beaches, unexpected headlands sometimes appear, loaded of rocky and picturesque inhabited presence.
    The testimonies of Hellenism emerge with impressive remains of temples, theaters and wonders of art, sculptures and objects of splendid workmanship, witnessing artistic excellence of the heart of Magna Graecia.
    And again, over the still amazing tracks of the Roman building ingeniousness, the wind of the East of the Empire comes and triumphs with Byzantine culture in Basilian convents and monasteries, in the codes and in the jewels of miniated art.
    The presence of the western Middle Ages then appears resolute and warrior, marking the whole territory of dry and impenetrable fortifications that emerge among the white rocks, the stains and the dark green shrubs.
    But also are shining the centers of culture and knowledge, in the celebration of radiant basilicas and noble academies.
    Wealth of art and nature in a fascinating whole, keeping precious secrets of all time, that stands out and blends in the blinding glare of a perpetual and intense sun, losing your eyes in the direction of an endless blue sea.
   

National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria

    Also known as National Museum of Magna Graecia , it has one of the most remarkable collections of artefacts from Ancient Greece.
    The historic site is represented by a massive square building with four floors, designed by Marcello Piacentini and built between 1932 and 1941, currently under renovation, with reopening scheduled for March 2011.
    The museum is rich in archaeological finds, with excavated material from sites of Calabria, Basilicata and Sicily, relating especially to the culture of Ancient Greece from the VII century BC onwards, but also to ages of primeval history, and to Roman and Byzantine periods.
    The underwater archeology section includes findings from the Calabrian seabed.
    Among these, there are the pieces from a ship found in the waters of Porticello , all dating around the century V BC, among which statues in bronze and in particular the Head of The Philosopher , a rare and valuable example of Greek portraiture.
    The fame of the collection is associated especially with the famous Bronzes of Riace , discovered in 1972 off the coast of Riace, two extraordinary statues of the century V BC, made in bronze with polychrome details.
    There are many finds from excavations affecting the Locrian area: amphorae, vases, terracottas, marbles, capitals and other valuables.
    In particular, the bronze Locresi Mirrors of the century VI BC, the Locresi Tables from the archives of the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus at Locri, and an important collection of Pinakes , terracotta votive tablets with bas-relief representations, dating back to the century III BC.
    There are also several examples of Hellenistic period coming from the colonies of Calabrian Great Greece, besides the same Rhegion: Kaulonia, Laos, Krimisa and Metauros.
    Among the exhibits, a beautiful Lekane with compartments, a fine container of cosmetics and jewelry, dating back to century IV BC.
    Rich and interesting, finally, the section of numismatics, containing Brettian, Greek and Roman coins.