Discover Bianco: Churches, Coast and Greco di Bianco

Bianco combines sacred art, older local history, coastal landscapes and local culinary culture. The Chiesa Matrice o di Tutti i Santi, the ancient village of Bianco, Spiaggia di Bianco and Greco di Bianco offer different ways to explore the area. This allows you to bring together cultural, scenic and culinary impressions in one travel plan.

Churches and historic townscapes

At the Chiesa Matrice o di Tutti i Santi, you will encounter clear architectural forms: the floor plan follows a Latin cross and has a single nave. The crossing is crowned by a square dome; three semi-octagonal apses complete the building. It also houses an alabaster statue of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria d'Egitto from 1530, set on an octagonal pedestal decorated with biblical scenes. The Chiesa Matrice di Bianco also contains a 17th-century canvas painting by Francesco Cozza depicting San Michele Arcangelo and San Giovanni Battista.

The Santuario Maria Santissima di Pugliano was built between the 16th and 17th centuries at a site where a Basilian monastery had already existed since the 13th century. Its single-nave interior is entirely decorated with crafted stucco; it also features an apse and side niches with statues of saints. The sanctuary is located on Via Marina along the SS106 Jonica, about 350 metres south of Bianco railway station.

The ancient village of Bianco preserves ruins of the fortification walls and several buildings, as well as old portals, on a low hill about three kilometres from the modern town centre. Bianco's patronal festival in honour of the Madonna di Pugliano takes place during the first fifteen days of August and reaches its climax with fireworks on the night of 15–16 August.

Coast, cliffs and protected landscapes

Spiaggia di Bianco is located within the Parco Marino Regionale “Costa dei Gelsomini”. The Calanchi Bianchi beside Spiaggia di Bianco are limestone formations and form a valuable coastal ecosystem. The beach extends to the cliff of Capo Bruzzano, also known as Zefirio, and can be reached directly via the Statale 106 Ionica towards Reggio Calabria.

Capo Bruzzano is a headland with cliffs and rocks that wind and sea have shaped into impressive natural sculptures. At Capo Bruzzano in the Bianco area, the remains of a 16th-century tower are also visible. The stretch of coast between Capo Bruzzano and the pools there includes Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows.

Greco di Bianco and regional flavours

Greco di Bianco is a DOC passito wine with an amber appearance, an orange-blossom aroma and a smooth taste. Traditionally, it is served as an aperitif or with desserts. At Cantina Maisano, the Greco di Bianco area offers a picnic experience with five local wines, expert guidance from a sommelier and tastings of seasonal regional specialities.

Further places for orientation

Further places for your travel planning: Bivongi, San Luca, Laureana Di Borrello, Caulonia, Taureana, Monasterace Marina, Monasterace, Gioiosa Ionica.

For the overarching travel overview: Reggio Calabria.