Casa di Lina

"Full of palaces nicely put, setted on a small rock, [...] surprised from so many views on every side. Every rock, shryne or palace in Gerace appears put and colored on purpose for the artists..."
(Edward Lear; 1847).

Gerace (Greek dialect: Ierax; Calabria dialect: Ieràci) is a town of 2.842 citizens in the area of Reggio Calabria. It is one of the 100 cities of art in Italy, a true jewell for this region.
Gerace, which preserves a Middle Ages charm and layout, is situated inside the National Park of Aspromonte. The urban center (particularly the old Village) is rich of churches, palaces and caves (once little habitations) dug-out directly in the rocks. You can see a big castle and a wonderful cathedral, both Normans, and various constructions of different styles.
Because of its position, you can see the whole "Locride" and "Gelsomini Coast" from Gerace!


Bombarde

One of the most suggestive views in Calabria. From this point of the town you can look at the Gelsomini Coast. A looking "trip" which starts from the Old Town and goes to Jonio Sea


Gerace Castle

Gerace Castle stands on the Rock where the first peopled centre was built. Born around the VII century after Christ as a normal fortress, it was razed by Byzantine Army in the X century, as the rest of the City. Renovated by Normans in the XI century, Gerace was destroyed several times again.The fortress had a drawbridge on the East side, a big weapon's room (Mileto's room) and a nice internal garden. Surraunded by a strong defense wall (now you can find beautiful ruins of that), it had an ingenious canalization system of rain water, a big well, a small Byzantine oratorial. The oratorial worked until the XVII century and it had just one apse with decorations paints.


Church In Gerace

Among the numerous churches in the City (in XVIII century they counted more than 60), the most precious and beautyful is the San Francesco church (XIII century). Inside there is a magnificent baroque altar with marbles which reproduce suggestive polychrome images. Very important as well is the church of San Giovannello (X century) and the church of Santa Maria del Mastro, with a Greek cross.

Cathedral Of Gerace

The Cathedral was consacrated in 1045 and rebuilt again in Swabian epoch. It shows an high apsidal part with small cylindrical apses and arches. Inside, the building has 3 naves, separated by 13 columns which come, according to experts, from temples of Old Locri ruins (Locri Epizephyri). From central apse is possible going in the crypt and visiting the prison of the 5 martyrs of Gerace.