Reggio Calabria

Reggio Calabria

Reggio di Calabria (Sicilian-Calabrian dialect: Rìggiu, Greek-Calabrian: Righi, Greek: Ῥήγιον, Rhégion, Latin: Rhegium), commonly known as Reggio Calabria or Reggio, is the biggest city and the most populated comune of Calabria, southern Italy, and is the capital of the Province of Reggio Calabria and seat of the Council of Calabrian government.

Reggio is located on the "toe" of the Italian peninsula and is separated from the island of Sicily by the Strait of Messina. It is situated on the slopes of the Aspromonte, a long, craggy mountain range that runs up through the center of the region. The third economic center of mainland Southern Italy, the property city, has a population of more than 186,000 inhabitants spread over 236 km², while the fast-growing urban area numbers 260,000 inhabitants. More than 370,000 people live in the metropolitan area (the 10th metropolitan city of Italy).

As a major functional pole in the region, it has strong historical, cultural and economic ties with the city of Messina. Oldest city in the region, despite its ancient foundation - Ρηγιον was an important and flourishing colony of Magna Graecia - it boasts a modern urban system, set up after the catastrophic earthquake on December 28, 1908, which destroyed most of the city. The region t is subject to earthquakes and tsunami. It is a major economic center for regional services and transports in the southern shores of the Mediterranean.

Reggio, with Naples and Taranto, is home to one of the most important archaeological museums, the prestigious National Archaeological Museum of Magna Græcia, dedicated to Ancient Greece (which houses the famous Bronzes of Riace, rare example of Greek bronze sculpture, which became one of the symbols of the city). Is the center of the Regional Council of Calabria and of two recently founded universities: the "Mediterranea" University, and the "Università per Stranieri" ('University for Foreigners'). There are also an Academy of Fine Arts (opened in 1967) and a Conservatory of Music (founded in 1927).

The city center, consisting primarily of Liberty buildings, has a linear development along the coast, with parallel streets and the promenade is dotted with rare magnolias and exotic palms. Reggio has commonly used popular nicknames: The "city of Bronzes", for the Riace bronzes which are testimonials of its Greek origins; the "city of bergamot", which is exclusively cultivated in the region; and the "city of Fatamorgana", an optical phenomenon visible in Italy only from the Reggio seaside.