Discover Martone: Between Rocky Landscapes and Basilian History

Martone combines striking limestone formations, Basilian history and wooded uplands with cultural attractions and nearby beaches. If you are looking for a place whose character can be experienced through nature, history, hiking and festival traditions, you will find several clearly distinct points of interest here.

Rocky Landscapes and Grotta dei Saraceni

In Contrada Gujuni or Gullune, Grotta dei Saraceni lies in a natural limestone cave, a short distance from the riverbed of the Torrente Levadìo. The cave contains the remains of the ruined Basilian monastery oratory of Sant'Anania. Natural surroundings and historical traces are closely connected here, without reducing the cave to a single aspect.

The Stone of Sant'Anania is an irregularly shaped limestone monolith in the Gujune area of Martone. The Pietre du monaceju area is also characterized by large boulders of unusual origin and shape. Those interested in striking landforms will therefore encounter different expressions of limestone and rock in Martone.

Basilian Traces and Buildings

A Basilian community near Martone founded the monastery of Sant'Anania between the 9th and 11th centuries. The monastery served as a refuge for the town's first Christians. This historical connection gives the rocky and cave sites an additional cultural context.

Torre Mazzoni stands out for its square structure, a beveled foundation and four buttresses. Its clearly identifiable architectural features make it another point of interest for visitors exploring the architecture and historical character of Martone.

Forest, Hiking Stage and Festival Day

Bosco del Principe lies in the higher elevations of Martone and is considered an area of natural-history and hiking interest. It is characterized by an atmospheric mixed forest of beech and silver fir trees. The forest thus complements the stone-dominated landscape with a distinctly different setting in which nature observation and hiking are the focus.

A link to a longer hiking route is provided by Stage 73 of the Cammino Basiliano from Gioiosa Jonica to Gerace. It begins in Gioiosa Jonica and runs along the Martone area to the Stone of Sant'Anania. For your travel planning, Martone can therefore also be considered in connection with a stage whose starting point lies outside the town.

A ‘Ntinna is part of the local festival tradition: it is held in Martone every year in August during the patronal festival of San Giorgio. A culinary event scheduled for a specific period was also announced for November 15 and 16, 2025. The Sagra della Castagna was to include tastings of chestnuts, traditional sweets and dishes from the peasant tradition.

Cultural Attractions in the Surrounding Area

The immediate surroundings of Martone are home to Palazzo Amaduri, a palace, Villa Romana - Naniglio, an ancient site, and Mulino Linares, a historic site. Palazzo Carafa di Roccella Jonica, a palace, is also located near Martone. These destinations broaden the focus from the immediate landforms to architectural history and older traces of settlement.

Several beaches are also located near Martone: Spiaggia Marina di Gioiosa Ionica, Spiaggia Grotteria Mare, Spiaggia di Siderno and Spiaggia di Roccella Ionica. This allows you to take different interests into account when planning your trip – from rocks, forests and history to excursions to beaches and ancient or historic sites.

More Destinations

You can also discover Condofuri, Bova Marina, Bovalino Marina, Marina Di Caulonia, Laureana Di Borrello, Brancaleone, Bocale and Sant'alessio In Aspromonte.

For the overarching travel overview: Reggio Calabria.