Car Hire Reggio - Mini guide to Reggio

Reggio, the provincial capital of Calabria, was one of the first ancient Greek settlements on the Italian mainland, and today is a hustling city with a population of over 180,000.

Walking enthusiasts should venture down the Corso Garibaldi, the city’s main street, which journeys several kilometres through the centre of town before ending at the seafront with its view across the straits to Messina. This street maintains a classical elegance although many of the older buildings have been destroyed in the numerous earthquakes that have shook the city.

The one sight not to be missed is the Museo Nazionale near the Lido end of Corso Garibaldi. This holds the most important collection of archaeological finds in Calabria. Its most renowned exhibits are the Bronzi di Riace: two bronze statues which are examples of the highest period of Greek art (5th century BC), attributed to Phidias or followers of his school, and especially prized because there are so few finds from this period in such a good state of repair.

Other sights include the cathedral, rebuilt after the earthquake in 1908 and resembling an ice cream, and the ruined Aragonese Castle on Piazza Castello. A sight you may or may not be lucky enough to see is the Fata Morgana - a shimmering city of turrets and towers said to be viewable across the Messina straits when the air and water are absolutely still.

As you would expect from an Italian city, pizza and pasta restaurants and cafes abound, and you can also get great seafood due to Reggio’s proximity to the sea. Traditional handicrafts and regional specialities can be purchased from some of the shops lining the Corso Garibaldi.

To drive to Reggio, take the del Sole (or A1), which starts in Milan and runs the length of Italy. The city is also serviced by Svincolo Airport, 5kms south of Reggio, and by trains from Naples and major northern cities.