Gambarie
Gambarie is a mountain village in Calabria situated above 1300 meters in elevation and surrounded by dense forests of beech, pine, and fir trees. The village has narrow streets, simple buildings, and offers ski slopes as well as hiking trails through the Aspromonte mountains, from which visitors can see the sea and the Strait of Messina.
Gambarie developed as a mountain village for people living and working at that elevation. The settlement became popular in the 19th century among climbers and nature lovers seeking escape from the lowlands. The ski facilities came later as a modern destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
The name Gambarie comes from Greek and means "herd of goats". The village preserves a simple mountain culture visible in its narrow streets and in the friendly locals who continue to practice regional traditions.
Visitors should prepare for changing mountain weather and bring sturdy hiking boots and warm clothing. The place is easily reached from Reggio Calabria via good roads, and there are local hotels and guesthouses offering simple, hearty meals made with regional ingredients.
Artificial ski slopes allow winter sports even without natural snow, an unusual solution for this southern mountain village. The Cristallo Fountain in the piazza is a modern art installation with curved glass slabs where water flows and freezes into a sculptural form during winter.
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