Discover Brancaleone: Sea Turtles, History and Culture

Brancaleone combines a maritime natural theme with places where history and culture become tangible. This applies both to the sea turtle rescue centre in Brancaleone Marina and to the Museo del Mare and the historic sites of Brancaleone Vetus. If you would like to combine different interests on your trip to Italy, you will find several distinct points of interest here.

Sea Turtles in Brancaleone

At the Centro Recupero Tartarughe Marine di Brancaleone, the centre offers guided tours for adults and children that provide information about sea turtles and their protection. The Centro is a sea turtle rescue centre and is responsible for rescuing, caring for and rehabilitating injured animals or animals otherwise in difficulty in the region between Calabria and Sicily, including cases involving human-caused problems.

The Centro Recupero Tartarughe Marine is located in Brancaleone Marina at Piazza Lorenzo e Gilla, formerly Piazza Stazione, in the rooms of the former railway ticket office on the S.S. 106. The current name of the square and its former designation therefore both help with orientation around this maritime focal point.

The Museo del Mare

The Museo del Mare in Brancaleone opened on 15 October 2016 and consists of three main rooms. In the final room, dioramas and true-to-scale reproductions depict marine mammals and sea turtles. Particular attention is paid to the reproductive biology of Caretta caretta. The museum thus complements the exploration of the sea with an informative cultural and natural-history perspective.

Brancaleone Vetus and Its Historic Landscape

Brancaleone Vetus is situated on a sandstone hill 310 m above sea level and 3.5 km from the coast. In 2008, following a conservation and enhancement project overseen by the heritage authority, the site was established as an urban archaeological park. As part of this project, paths within the historic settlement were restored.

Churches, Rock Art and Regional History

The Chiesa Arcipretale dell’Annunziata in Brancaleone Superiore contains remnants of a valuable polychrome marble altar from the 16th century. In Brancaleone Vetus, the rock church Chiesa-grotta dell’Albero della Vita features Armenian-style graffiti, including a processional cross with a stylised peacock. Both sites add their own distinctive elements to Brancaleone’s historical themes.

Cesare Pavese and the Cultural Centre

Cesare Pavese’s former prison house now serves as a cultural centre for the entire Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria and as a venue for workshops, exhibitions, readings and conferences. During his exile from 1935 to 1936, the building was Pavese’s place of residence and inspired some of his literary works. Here, you therefore encounter both contemporary cultural activities and a clearly defined chapter of Italian literary history.

Visits and Excursions

Since 2012, the Pro Loco di Brancaleone has been committed to enhancing the archaeological site of Brancaleone Vetus. It organises events, offers sightseeing services and suggests excursions. In addition, paths and access to the old rock churches have been restored or improved. Brancaleone Vetus therefore encompasses historic buildings, archaeological trails and organised opportunities to get to know the site more closely.

More Destinations

More destinations: Pellaro, Bovalino Marina, Riace Marina, Reggio Di Calabria, Gerace, Tritanti, Gambarie, Spropolo

To the overview of higher-level destinations: Reggio Calabria.