Caulonia, Ancient Greek settlement in Calabria, Italy
Caulonia is a commune in the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria, in the Calabria region of southern Italy. The town sits on a hill between the Ionian coast and the inland mountains, with stone buildings arranged along narrow streets typical of the area.
The name comes from the ancient Greek city of Kaulonia, founded in this part of Calabria and once one of the main settlements of Magna Graecia. After its decline, the area passed through different rulers over the centuries before becoming the commune it is today.
The Tarantella, a traditional southern Italian dance, is performed in the streets during summer festivals that bring the whole community together. Visitors who time their trip to coincide with one of these events will see local costumes and hear live folk music played outdoors.
Caulonia has few tourist facilities, so it is worth planning ahead and bringing what you need before arriving. Having a car makes getting around much easier, since public transport connections to the area are limited.
At the end of World War II, locals briefly attempted to set up an independent communist administration under their own leadership. This episode from 1945 shows how remote villages in the south took their own political course during a moment of wider upheaval in Italy.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
