Locri between Ancient History and the Costa dei Gelsomini

Locri combines traces of its Greek and Roman past with museums in the town centre, archaeological sites and equipped beaches along the Costa dei Gelsomini. If you would like to combine culture, history and the coast in one trip, the town offers several different points of interest to help shape your plans.

Archaeological Locri with its own highlights

The Locri Archaeological National Park offers four visitor routes. One of them leads to the Greek-Roman theatre in the Pirettina area. The park is located about 5 km from the present-day town of Locri and therefore constitutes a separate point of reference alongside the urban centre. The archaeological area of Locri Epizefiri also includes the Sanctuary of Aphrodite.

The Teatro di Locri Epizefiri dates from the 4th century BC and was substantially altered during the Roman period. During the Greek era, it served both for theatrical performances and assemblies. It was built on the natural slope of a hill; its cavea, or seating area, faces the sea. The Sanctuary of Marasà also preserves visible elements of a large sanctuary: the temenos, the altars and the temple. The latter was probably built around the middle of the 7th century BC.

Museums between Locride and Antiquity

The Locri National Archaeological Museum presents the history and life of Locri during the Greek period. It preserves hundreds of artefacts found during excavations, including terracotta votive tablets known as pinakes, dating from the 5th century BC. The Casino Macrì museum complex preserves evidence from the Roman and Late Antique periods. The complex includes buildings erected on the remains of a private Roman bathing complex.

In the centre of Locri, the Museo del Territorio in Palazzo Nieddu documents the protohistoric period of Locride. The museum is part of the network of cultural sites belonging to the Locri Epizefiri Archaeological National Park. Grave goods from important necropolises in Locride are displayed on the ground floor. Permanent and temporary exhibitions complement this focus; the first floor also includes an area dedicated to private collecting.

You can find further examples of sacred art in the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Maestro and the Church of Santa Caterina. Both house sacred artworks, including paintings, sculptures and frescoes. Torre Moschetta is also known as Casino Scaglione; it was the first home of Locri's archaeological collection and housed the archaeologist Paolo Orsi. This historical function belongs to the tower's past and says nothing about its current use.

Piazza Nosside and activities for families

Piazza Nosside commemorates Nosside, a poet from ancient Locri Epizefiri, with a monument. Every year, the concert Il Suono dell'Alba takes place there at sunrise. For trips with school-age children, the Museo dei Ragazzi offers an educational tour for visitors of school age. This makes it possible to explore Locri with a stronger focus on history, art or family activities, depending on your interests.

Town centre, railway and coast

Locri railway station is located in the town centre. Through the national railway network, it connects the town with other cities and places in the region and throughout the country. This central point of reference may play a role when choosing your accommodation if you want to explore Locri without unnecessarily complicated day planning. At the same time, the distance of about 5 km between the national park and the present-day town remains important when assessing the archaeological sites.

Locri has equipped beaches along the Costa dei Gelsomini. In addition to museums, sanctuaries and theatres, this means that coastal stays are also available as a distinct part of the town. Depending on whether you wish to focus on archaeological history, exhibitions, an event in Piazza Nosside or combining your visit with time at the beach, you can assess the location of your hotel in Locri according to your personal itinerary and preferred pace.

Further destinations: Condofuri, Saline Joniche, Tritanti, Spropolo, Bova Marina, Bruzzano Zeffirio, Spina, Gambarie

For the overarching travel overview: Reggio Calabria.