Motta San Giovanni between Archaeology and the Historic Center

Archaeology and Local History in Motta San Giovanni

Motta San Giovanni reveals its history through sites spanning very different periods. The Area Archeologica Leucopetra preserves visible remains of a pseudo-circular furnace dating from the 5th century, as well as a small burial ground with grave goods. At the Museo Civico Archeologico Antiquarium Leucopetra, you can see archaeological finds from the Motta San Giovanni area that attest to Greek, Roman, and later settlements in the municipal territory. Archaeology and local history shape this part of Motta San Giovanni.

Leucopetra: Archaeological Site with Practical Facilities

The Area Archeologica Leucopetra has removable walkways for people with disabilities, a reception area with a ticket office, and an information point. The facilities also include restrooms, lighting, and video surveillance. Information panels in Braille, along with tourist road signs, complement the site. The Area Archeologica Leucopetra combines these orientation features with concrete facilities on site.

Historic Center with Two Districts

The Museo Civico Archeologico Antiquarium Leucopetra was recognized as a museum of regional interest in June 2019. In the historic center, the medieval area known as Quartiere Suso lies around the castle. The oldest section preserves the original urban layout with narrow lanes. Its building typology is characterized by buildings made of ordinary masonry and roofs with interlocking tiles. East of the older area lies Quartiere Praci, which dates from the 18th and 19th centuries. The two districts therefore represent different historical phases in the development of the town.

Religious Building and High Medieval Architecture

The Chiesa della confraternita del Leandro is an old Byzantine religious building. It had already been fully operational from the second half of the 17th century onward. Castello di Sant'Aniceto, also known as Castello di San Niceto, is a rare example of High Medieval architecture in Calabria and was built in the first half of the 11th century. The building history extends from the 11th-century castle to Quartiere Praci from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Cammino Basiliano and the Strait of Messina

The Motta San Giovanni–Armo stage of the Cammino Basiliano begins in Motta San Giovanni and ends in Armo. Along the route, the Strait of Messina is visible almost in its entirety.

Getting to the Historic Center

The SS 106, the Ionian railway line to Lazzaro station followed by a bus connection, and the bus service operated by Autolinee Tripodi between Reggio Calabria, Motta San Giovanni, and Lazzaro lead to the historic center of Motta San Giovanni. The SS 106 is the road connection, while Lazzaro provides the transfer from the train to the connecting bus for the onward journey.

More Destinations for Orientation

Martone, Gambarie, Seminara, Delianuova, Reggio Di Calabria, Gallico, Villa San Giovanni and Marina di San Lorenzo

For the higher-level travel overview: Reggio Calabria.