Visit Gerace
The town of Gerace is situated at the southern end of Italy a few kilometres inland from the ancient Greek settlement of Locri on the Ionian coast. Locri-Gerace an important and well-equipped seaside resort, and, apart from a beautiful beach, it offers a landscape quite enjoyable in the summer months, quiet and attractive for the tourist who loves being surrounded by nature, a little away from the mass tourism.
A visit to Gerace, hovering on its 500 metre high cliff, puts us in touch with some artifacts of considerable value; for example, some beautiful buildings, like the Palace of Tocco, and, in Piazza Tribuna, the Norman Cathedral of Gerace (XI-XII century).
Gerace was born as a new settlement by inhabitants from Locri in the tenth century. Over the centuries, it belonged to some great landowners: Byzantines, Normans (including Robert Guiscard in the 11th century) and the Angevin. The origins of the name Gerace are unclear: perhaps 'Sacred Mountain' or Jerax (hawk) or Aghia Kyriaki (Saint Ciriaca). For detailed analysis see Gerace history and etymology.
A visit to Gerace can start from the village, where there was the old gate called "Varvara" and the workshops of potters. In Piazza della Repubblica is the church of Santa Maria del Mastro, a huge church with a Greek cross form whose central dome was originally made of clay pots, a technique dating back to the Byzantine times; after its collapse, it was rebuilt in concrete.
Nearby is the ancient palace of the 'Balzo' that overlooks the plain where we can visit two monasteries: one of the Capuchins, of Baroque style, dating back to the first half of the sixteenth century; and also one from the 17th century, whose church is dedicated to “Santa Francesca Romana”, now the chapel of the cemetery. Nearby is the Church of Santa Maria di Monserrato, of Byzantine origin.
To the left of the Borgo Maggiore we can go to the Borghetto (“small village”), where, through the gate on the left, is the Church of San Martino, which is very old, but was rebuilt after the earthquake in the 18th century. Along the “Via Roma”, we come to the "Bombarde Belvedere" and the “Gate of Sun”, reaching the "Square of the ‘Tocco’", where stands out the "Grimaldi-Serra” Palace, now the City Hall.
Gerace cathedral
In the "Piazza Tribuna" stands the majestic cathedral, consecrated in 1045, and then consecrated in the year 1222 in the presence of the Emperor Frederick II of Swabia. In Byzantine-Norman style, the cathedral shows a basilica form with three naves and a Latin cross plan, with a high apse and wide transept. From outside the cathedral looks like a fortress because of the compact wall of limestone from which protrude two semi-circular apses. The main entrance is located on the West front.
The interior has a roof of wooden beams, columns and capitals which divide the three naves, divided by two rows of ten columns. Another item of considerable value is the Baroque style main altar in polychrome marble, by Amato da Messina (18th century). From the apse on the left we reach the crypt, which appears as a series of small stucco vaults from the 19th century, supported by columns of different sizes, colours and materials. In the crypt there is the small chapel to Our Lady of the Itria, covered by a vaulted ceiling decorated with rosettes of stucco; the walls are lined with polychrome marble, the floor is composed of glass tiles. On the altar stands the marble statue of the “Madonna della Stella.”
From the Cathedral, head along the street 'Caduti del Lavoro' to reach the Sacred Heart Church, with a Latin cross form and a dome of roof tiles, similar to that of the church of Monserrato, with the façade in Baroque style. In the Piazza delle Tre Chiese visit the "Church-Convent" of St. Francis of Assisi, Gothic style and dating back to the 13th century, in which there is a baroque altar richly inlaid with marble depicting polychrome images by an anonymous Franciscan friar, and the graves of several local nobles. The Church of San Giovannello is very characteristic: from the 11th century and of Orthodox worship, with a single apse, it was made of stone, and looks like a country church. From here we can climb to the castle via the huge square called "Baglio".
Gerace castle
The remains of the Norman castle date back to the 11th century and are located where the original town developed. According to some scholars it was built during the seventh century AD, and it certainly existed as early as the tenth century, the period in which the Byzantine arrived and devastated the city. Renovated and expanded by the Normans around 1050 it was destroyed several times (mainly by earthquakes) and rebuilt.
Surrounded by mighty defensive walls, the castle, of which only a few remnants remain, had ingenious systems for channelling rainwater, a large pit, a small Byzantine chapel embellished by decoration with an apse, a drawbridge that opened on the side east of the fort, a vast armoury, called "Mileto", an inner courtyard and several other rooms used for different functions. Especially interesting are the remains of the imposing central tower, cylindrical-shaped with long monolithic footings and walls built with megalithic blocks.
In the area in front of Gerace castle there is a large square, called 'Baglio', probably named after a magistrate who issued the rulings in the square, once reserved for trade and military activities. From the castle we can re-descend into the old town, walking through the medieval and Baroque buildings with mullioned windows (XIII century) arches, churches, portals, before reaching the monastery of St. Anne, the Chiesa del Carmine, San Siminio, San Nicola and the 16th century portico on the Via G. Bruno.
Tradition and cuisine in Locri-Gerace
Locri - Gerace has held firmly to its ancient and manufacturing traditions (especially the weaving and artistic working of iron), and also to their culinary traditions. When visiting Gerace try the local cake, the 'rafioli', perhaps accompanied by a sip of 'Greek white wine' from Gerace. Travel past Roccella and Locri to Cape Spartivento, set in shady woods, to acquire some local products such as oil from Calabria (reputedly one of the best oils) or the home-made bread, the delicious local cheese or the sausages produced by very small farms.
Places to visit near Gerace
A visit to Gerace will be combined with a visit to Locri and provides an opportunity to see two different histories close together - Gerace is the medieval settlement, while locri is much more ancient. Together they form a tourist destination of considerable historical and cultural importance.