Catanzaro
Between Two Seas and Timeless Stories
From ancient Roman echoes to silk-threaded legacies, this is Calabria’s cultural crossroads.
In Catanzaro, walk the elegant Corso Mazzini, then explore ancient ruins at Scolacium and hilltop castles in Squillace. At Caminia Beach, relax between towering cliffs and crystal-clear waters. Venture inland to witness traditional silk-making, explore noble villas, and discover Badolato, a hilltop village that whispers its story through stone streets and sea breezes.
Highlights
- Scolacium Archeological Park
- Medieval towns
- Breathtaking views of the Ionian and Tyrrhenian seas
- San Floro’s silk museum
Go for This
Archaeological parks and medieval towns
The province of Catanzaro, stretching between the Ionian and Tyrrhenian coasts, is a crossroads of history, landscapes, and traditions.
On the Ionian side, the ancient ruins of Scolacium Archaeological Park tell the story of Magna Graecia and the Roman world, surrounded by centuries-old olive groves. Nearby, Squillace, famed for its fine ceramics, enchants with its Norman castle, artisan workshops, and sweeping views over the Gulf of Squillace.
On the Tyrrhenian side, Lamezia Terme blends thermal springs, historic churches, and a vibrant agricultural plain filled with olive groves and vineyards.
But Try This
San Floro’s silk museum and Mulinum
In the quiet village of San Floro lays the Silk Museum, where Calabria’s golden age of silk-making breathes again through Il Nido di Seta, a co-operative of young visionaries. Here, you don’t just learn about silk – you walk its path. From leaf to loom, you witness the magic of metamorphosis: a caterpillar’s quiet labor yielding a delicate thread that has bound Calabrian history for centuries.
In San Floro you will also find Mulinum – a rural sanctuary where tradition rises like dough. Ancient local grains are grown organically, stone-ground on-site, and baked with reverence for age-old recipes and slow-fermented sourdough.
Favorite Restaurants
- Abbruzzino Oltre in Lamezia Terme
