Roccella Ionica: Experience the Coast, History and Nature

Roccella Ionica is ideal for planning a trip where the coast, history and nature do not have to be considered separately. The beach, the historic Borgo Carafa, the rock with the Castello and the Porto delle Grazie each offer a different focus; there are also paths by the sea and cultural sites.

Beach, habitats and harbour

The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta LINNAEUS, 1758) occurs on the beach of Roccella Ionica. Roccella Ionica is also home to the EU Habitats Directive habitat type 2110, “Embryonic shifting dunes”. At the Castello, the EU Habitats Directive habitat type 8210, “Calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation”, has been recorded; the habitat there is home to a population of Ptilostemon gnaphaloides, which is classified as threatened according to IUCN criteria.

The Santuario Madonna delle Grazie was founded in 1545 by the Palermo captain Onofrio Buscemi. It is located in a valley on the left bank of the Torrente Zirgone; green slopes and distinctive rocky sections surround the sanctuary.

The Porto delle Grazie (Marina di Roccella) is a tourist fishing harbour located 2 km from the town centre. Excursions, days out by boat and nautical activities are offered from there, allowing visitors to experience the coast from the sea.

History and townscape

The Castello Carafa was founded during the Norman period by Gualtieri De Collepietro. From 1479 to 1806, it belonged to the Carafa della Spina family, who partially remodelled and restored it.

The Borgo Carafa is the oldest historic centre of Roccella Ionica. It preserves its original layout with narrow alleyways and panoramic views. The Chiesa Matrice di San Nicola di Bari is connected to the Castello di Roccella Jonica by a coretto. A private chapel was built next to the Palazzo Englen Tassone and can still be seen there. The highest point of the rock is presumably home to an early fortified structure called Monte Falcone.

The Museo Multimediale Immersivo di Roccella Jonica – MUSMIR is based in the Castello Carafa. The Teatro al Castello is also located within the Castello Carafa complex; events, performances and other cultural activities take place there. The restored Convento dei Minimi is used for cultural activities, which mainly take place in the three large halls on the first floor. The Parco degli Dei is an open-air museum created by the sculptor Mariella Costa.

Paths, getting there and cultural events

A recommended path runs along the northern slope of the rock from Via Torrente Zirgone to the Castello; a staircase makes the route easier. The 6 km-long cycle path by the sea runs from the southern municipal boundary to the border with Caulonia. Roccella Ionica is connected by the Strada Statale 106 Jonica and the Ionian railway line.

The Roccella Jazz Festival “Rumori Mediterranei” has a tradition dating back to 1981. The Madonna delle Grazie festival takes place on the first Sunday in July and includes a traditional procession on the sea.

When choosing your hotel or accommodation, you can take these different focal points into account: historic sites, the beach, nature around the Castello, paths on the rock or the harbour’s offerings.

To the overview of destinations: Reggio Calabria.