Sparrowhawk village - Gerace

Full of palaces beautifully situated, set on anarrow side of the rock [...] Amazed by so many views that present themselves on every side. In Gerace every rock, sanctuary or palace, seemed to be placed and coloredintentionally for the artists ..." 

E.Lear

How many of you have heard about a little village called Gerace? Masterpiece of human hands which is situated near to Ionic coast in South Italy. Maybe some of you have already traveled there, have enjoyed fantastic walking through the centuries, sat down in Belvedere Bombarde letting your mind to flow watching the sunset ...

Gerace is considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and it is inscribed into "I borghi piu belli d'Italia".

Legends says that Gerace was founded by the inhabitants of Locride, who ran up to the mountains to hide from the attacks of saracens, following a sparrowhawk. The name Gerace is believed to derive from  "jérax", which means sparrowhawk in Greek. Sparrowhawk is still the symbol of the city and you can find it in piazza di tocco and on arms of coat.

Village is little, but has lot of religious buildings, which were built in different centuries. Some of them are damaged by the earthquakes, some are reconstructed or under reconstruction.

Cattedrale dell'Assunta is the biggest religious building in Calabria, which despite the many subsequent contamination's and repairs, followed by the violent earthquakes that struck Calabria, remains a clear and impressive example of sacred Norman art. It is also declared as national interest for its architectural value.

Village is more alive during the "italian vacation period", 20.07-31.08, when all Italy rest from the years work.

When in Gerace area try Greco di Gerace white wine. It is the famous Greek wine, obtained from Greek grapes, amber-colored, fortified (17 degrees) and produced in limited quantities in the area of Bianco, 20 km from Gerace. Bianco, before it became an independent commune, it was a subdivision of Gerace and the wine is therefore known as Greco di Gerace.

Legends tells that the Greeks offered the wine united with honey as a sign of hospitality.

One very fantastic video of the view that offers you the village :  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IxhgZzAvaI&feature=player_embedded#!

The sights to see: 

- The castle of normans (XI sec.)                                

- Cathredal dell'Assunta (1045) - The church of San Francesco (XIII sec.) - The church of San Giovannello (XI sec.) - The church of Santa Maria di Monserrato (XVII sec.) - The church of San Martino (X sec.) - The church of Santa Maria del Mastro (XVII sec.) - The churchch of San Giorgio

- The church of Sacro Cuore (XVIII sec.) - The church of Sant’Anna  - The church of San Nicola (VII-VIII sec.) - The church of San Siminio  

 - Monastery of Cappuccini  (1534) - Monastery of Minori Osservanti (1612) - Monastery San Francesco d’Assisi (1252)  (for women)  - Belvedere Bombarde (viewpoint) 

 - Palazzo del Balzo - Palazzo Vitale - Palazzo Delfino - Casa Marvasi

How to get there?

Unfortunately, Calabrian region is not very well organized (yet) and public transport does not arrive to every village/town.

If you're interested in exploring little villages in Calabria, I would suggest to hire a car, rather than counting on public transport. :)