Gerace, Medieval hill town in Calabria, Italy.
Gerace is a stone town with narrow winding streets that sits on a high limestone cliff with views of the Ionian Sea and Aspromonte Mountains beyond. The settlement is defined by its many religious buildings, with the most important being a large cathedral constructed using columns taken from ancient local temples.
The settlement formed when coastal inhabitants moved inland to escape raids in the early 10th century, establishing themselves on this elevated hilltop for safety. Over time it became a significant religious center, with the construction of major religious buildings shaping its character.
The name comes from a sparrowhawk that legend says guided refugees to this site, and the bird remains a symbol woven through the town's identity and visual heritage. This origin story shapes how locals and visitors understand the place and its location on the hilltop.
The town sits atop a hill with steep narrow streets and uneven terrain, so comfortable walking shoes are essential for getting around comfortably. Plan to visit during cooler months when walking through the tightly packed streets is more pleasant and views are clearest.
The town preserves hundreds of small religious buildings, many now abandoned or converted to other uses, offering a window into the spiritual intensity of earlier centuries. This remarkable concentration of churches within the medieval walls is unusual for southern Italy and reflects how deeply faith shaped daily life here.
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