Holiday apartment in Ferruzzano: Coast, culture and mountain views

Ferruzzano combines coastal landscapes, mountain views and an unusually rich history.

Piazza della Memoria and sacred sites

A good thematic starting point is Piazza della Memoria. It can be reached without stairs and offers a 360-degree view of the eastern Aspromonte mountains and the surrounding towns. The small church of San Giuseppe stands directly on the square and was rebuilt after the 1908 earthquake. In this way, views and a specific chapter of the local architectural history come together in one place.

The religious and cultural diversity also includes the Byzantine chapel of Santa Maria degli Armeni. It is considered evidence of the Armenian presence in the region and is associated with the Armenians’ valley as a small, pagoda-like place of worship overlooking the Fiumara di Bruzzano. Further south lies the Santuario della Madonna della Catena, whose origins have not been established with historical certainty. According to tradition, sailors from Bruzzano and Ferruzzano found a chest containing a beautiful alabaster statue of the Madonna. The Santuario is disputed between the municipalities of Ferruzzano and Bruzzano; its traditional festival takes place on the first Sunday in September.

Another special site is located in Contrada Judario. There you will find the burial site carved into sandstone known as “Monoliti e Tomba a Seduta a Putridarium”.

Ferruzzano Vecchio and the Palmenti

Ferruzzano Vecchio is an abandoned village with characteristic lanes and old houses. The district lies on a hilltop at an altitude of around 500 metres and offers viewpoints at Piazza Belvedere and the three Calvari. For families who want to alternate lively beach moments with quieter discoveries, this creates a day with contrasting rhythms.

Around 160 Palmenti carved into the rock have been recorded in the Ferruzzano area. These historic wine presses consist of two interconnected basins at different levels and were used to process and produce wine. As a result, winegrowing appears not as an abstract regional theme, but as a visible legacy in the landscape.

Beach, rock and forest

Ferruzzano’s La Marina district offers crystal-clear water and a wide white beach. The Capo Bruzzano headland presents a different landscape, with its lush pine forest and a viewpoint overlooking the coast. The striking rock formation Rocca Carruso opens up views along the coast as far as Africo Nuovo.

The Bosco Rudina woodland also adds its own natural dimension. It covers 177 hectares, is characterised by holm oaks and pubescent oaks, and lies at elevations between 200 and 400 metres above sea level. The area stretches between the Borgo di Ferruzzano and the broad riverbed of the Fiumara La Verde. Because of its rich biodiversity, Bosco di Rùdina is recognised as a Site of Community Importance.

Routes through the Armenians’ valley

Ferruzzano can also be viewed through the lens of historic and long-distance routes. Stage 62 of the Basilian Way crosses the Armenians’ valley and leads to Ferruzzano via a detour. The Strata Cunsulari, a paved long-distance road from Roman times, also runs through Saccuti, now an abandoned district of Ferruzzano.

Depending on the focus of your holiday, you can base your choice of accommodation on different aspects of Ferruzzano: La Marina stands for water and beach, Ferruzzano Vecchio for old lanes and views, and Bosco Rudina for forest and biodiversity, while churches, Palmenti and the Strata Cunsulari shape the cultural discoveries. A holiday apartment or holiday house in Ferruzzano therefore provides a suitable setting for a trip in which you can choose between the sea, nature, history and regional traditions.

Discover more places

Find more destinations at Gallico, Acquacalda, Pozzi, Cittanova, Melito Di Porto Salvo, Favazzina, Gioiosa Ionica and Camini.

For the overarching travel overview: Reggio Calabria.