Food festivals and events in Costa Viola e Reggio Calabria 2026
“From Scilla to Reggio Calabria, the Costa Viola offers violet seabeds at sunset, swordfish caught with traditional feluca boats, and the Riace Bronzes.”
Swordfish and Strait views
The Riace Bronzes, masterpieces of Greek statuary, were found in 1972 by an amateur diver at a depth of 8 meters.
The Costa Viola takes its name from the violet color of the sea at sunset, caused by light refraction on metamorphic rocks.
Discovering the territory
Products, traditions and culture that make this land unique
Prodotti del Territorio
Soppressata di Calabria
Cured pork sausage from Calabrese black pigs, aged with sweet and hot peppers.
Caciocavallo Silano
Aged stretched-curd cheese, also produced in the mountainous areas around Reggio.
Piatti della Tradizione
Tradizioni e Cultura
Patrimoni UNESCO
Network of Great Shoulder-Borne Machines — Varia di Palmi
The Varia di Palmi is part of the Italian network of Great Shoulder-Borne Machines, UNESCO Intangible Heritage.
Patrimonio ImmaterialeTradizioni Popolari
Pesca del pesce spada con le feluche
A millennia-old fishing method in the Strait of Messina: a spotter on a 20-meter antenna guides the harpooner on the boat below.
Festa della Varia di Palmi
A 16-meter votive cart carried on the shoulders of 200 bearers. UNESCO Intangible Heritage.
Ceramiche di Seminara
A millennia-old ceramic tradition featuring distinctive apotropaic masks and ritual whistles.
Parchi e Aree Naturali
Aspromonte National Park
The western slopes of the Park descend toward the Costa Viola with panoramic views of the Strait.
Strait Marine Area
Waters between Calabria and Sicily, a crossroads of currents and unique Mediterranean marine biodiversity.
Personaggi Illustri
Bronzi di Riace
Greek statuaryTwo 5th-century BC bronze statues found in the sea off Riace in 1972, housed at the National Museum of Reggio Calabria.
Edward Lear
Writer and painterTraveled through Calabria in 1847, leaving watercolors and diaries documenting Scilla and the Costa Viola.
Lo Sapevi Che…
“Bergamot grows almost exclusively along 80 km of coast between Villa San Giovanni and Monasterace.”
Domande Frequenti
1What DOP and IGP products are found in Costa Viola and Reggio Calabria?expand_more
Costa Viola and Reggio Calabria is home to 4 protected designation products, including: Bergamotto di Reggio Calabria (DOP), Pesce Spada dello Stretto (PAT), Soppressata di Calabria (DOP), and Caciocavallo Silano (DOP).
2What should I eat in Costa Viola and Reggio Calabria?expand_more
Traditional dishes include: Pesce spada alla ghiotta, Pignolata di Reggio Calabria, Stocco di Mammola, and Melanzane ripiene alla reggina. Each dish tells the story of the region's gastronomic heritage.
3What are the most famous festivals in Costa Viola and Reggio Calabria?expand_more
Major festivals include: Varia di Palmi (UNESCO, last Sunday of August); Festa della Madonna della Consolazione (Reggio Calabria, September); Sagra del Pesce Spada (Bagnara Calabra, July).
4What UNESCO heritage sites are there in Costa Viola and Reggio Calabria?expand_more
The Varia di Palmi is part of the Network of Great Shoulder-Borne Machines, UNESCO Intangible Heritage since 2013.
5Who organizes the food festivals in Costa Viola and Reggio Calabria?expand_more
Festivals are organized by local communities such as Pro Loco Scilla and Pro Loco Palmi. These associations are the guardians of the region's gastronomic traditions.