Laureana di Borrello: Historic Center and Panoramic Views

Laureana di Borrello lies on a graceful hill facing the Tyrrhenian Sea and forms part of the Apennine range. The town combines a historically characterized center with a belvedere offering views across the Calabrian landscape in several directions. For your travel planning, this creates a destination where local history, religious buildings, traditional events and expansive views stand close together.

Views over the plain and sea from the belvedere

The belvedere offers a particularly comprehensive view of Laureana di Borrello. The southern panorama includes a plain covered with olive and citrus trees, Aspromonte and Monte S. Elia. To the west, the view extends over the plain irrigated by the Mesima and Metramo rivers toward the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Aeolian Islands and Stromboli. These different viewing directions make the lookout an informative gateway to the landscape: you can see both the agricultural plain and the mountain and sea areas surrounding the town.

Historic center with a medieval layout

The historic center of Laureana di Borrello preserves a medieval urban structure. Small streets, lanes and open spaces between the houses shape the town center. The center includes the private 17th-century church of Santa Maria della Sanità, known locally as “Chiesola.” The palaces or remains of the palaces of Protospataro and Neri, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, are also part of the historic center. The site of the Chiesa Madre is likewise part of this area of the town.

Individual buildings also point to the town’s eventful history. Santa Maria degli Angeli was rebuilt in 1931 after the 1928 earthquake made the church unusable. The remains of the historic castle are located on what is now Borrello Hill. The origins of Laureana di Borrello are connected with the Byzantine Hellenization of Calabria and the influence of the Basilian monks, which began in the 7th century. The “Massari” district was associated with cultivating the fields and keeping working animals.

Events throughout the year

The Fiera di San Gregorio is associated with the third Sunday in November. On Easter Sunday, the “Affruntata” takes place; statues of saints carried by believers represent the meeting of Jesus and Mary. The Via Crucis “A Caduta” is associated with Good Friday and a performance with live actors through the town’s main streets. If you would like to plan your stay around cultural dates, these fixed days provide a clear time reference for your planning.

Local character and how to get there

The natural resources used in Laureana di Borrello include forests, citrus fruits and olive oil. They complement the image of a hilly area whose panorama is shaped by cultivated plains, mountains and the Tyrrhenian Sea. The belvedere can be reached via the A3 Salerno–Reggio Calabria motorway; after the Rosarno exit, follow the signs for 12 km. When choosing a hotel for your stay, you can weigh your choice of location according to your interests: the historic layout and religious buildings, the view from the belvedere or the events held on specific dates.

More destinations for planning your trip to Italy

Gioia Tauro, Bova Marina, Gerace, Riace Marina, Ferruzzano, San Lorenzo, Condofuri Marina and Pozzi.

For the higher-level travel overview: Reggio Calabria.