Gerace: medieval jewel of Calabria

What is and where is Gerace, a village in Calabria

Gerace, a medieval jewel set among the mountains of Calabria, is a village that enchants visitors with its thousand-year history and timeless charm. Set on a hill, it offers incredible views of the greenhouses of the Aspromonte National Park. The village still retains its medieval structure, although it is often hidden under restoration work made necessary over the centuries by invasions and earthquakes: thus it is that 18th-century facades cover walls built centuries earlier, while the castle of Gerace, now in ruins, towers over the landscape.

Not to be missed: the Cathedral of Gerace

Among the many fine buildings in Gerace, the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta is definitely one to see. When you look at it from the outside, mighty and flanked by the ancient city gate known as "dei Vescovi, " you realize you are in front of something extraordinary: it is in fact one of the largest religious buildings in Calabria. The interior is solemn: three naves built of light-colored stone and separated by wide pointed arches that inexorably guide the eye toward the altar. Above them, the dark wooden ceiling seems to swallow up the light. It is an ancient and mystical place that seems to tell of a distant spirituality.

A bit of history

Founded in Byzantine times, Gerace experienced its heyday under the Normans. The city became an important religious and administrative center, thanks in part to its strategic location. The name "Gerace" derives from the Greek "hierax, " meaning "hawk," a symbol of strength and vigilance.

Fun fact: the city of a hundred churches

Did you know that Gerace was nicknamed the "City of a Hundred Churches?" As a testament to its great religious importance in the past, even today the town retains numerous churches, each with its own unique history and architecture.