Holiday apartment in Gerace: Discover churches, museums and panoramas

Gerace combines impressive religious buildings, museums, castle ruins and expansive views. A holiday apartment in Gerace is particularly suitable for a stay in which you would like to combine historic sites, walks and local impressions. Depending on your interests, churches and art, views over the landscape or a special event date can determine the rhythm of your days.

Churches and museums in Gerace

The monastery church of San Francesco d’Assisi in Gerace features a distinctly Gothic design and dates from 1252. San Giovannello in Gerace is a Greek Orthodox church dating from the 11th century. The Church of Santa Maria del Mastro was built in 1084, as evidenced by a Greek inscription, and preserves an important testament to the transition between Byzantine and Norman culture. Together, these buildings offer different approaches to the history and architecture of the town.

The museums also provide insight into remarkable sacred art. The crypt of Gerace Cathedral houses an initial museum area with treasures from the cathedral as well as artifacts from the churches of San Martino, Sant’Anna, Carmine and Sacro Cuore. The cathedral museum displays the Flemish tapestry Arazzo di Gerace, signed by Jan Leyniers (1630–1686). The Museo Diocesano showcases the Stauroteka, a reliquary made of gilded silver, hard stones and pearls, attributed to the 12th century and probably produced in Jerusalem or in Norman workshops in Sicily. The Museo Diocesano also includes an extensive collection of furnishings and fittings from the cathedral as well as from other places of worship and confraternities in the diocese.

Cathedral, castle and expansive views

The co-cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is partly built on rock and combines a Byzantine floor plan with typical features of Norman cathedrals. The remains of Gerace’s Norman castle are located in the upper part of the town. In Gerace, therefore, defining evidence of different eras is as much part of the view as prominent vantage points.

The Le Bombarde viewpoint offers panoramic views over almost one hundred kilometres of coastline. From Piazzale il Baglio near the ruins of Gerace Castle, a panorama opens up across the valley. The municipality recommends exploring the districts of Gerace connected by main roads on foot in order to better experience the architectural sights. In addition, Explore Gerace offers more than 50 audio-guide listening stations distributed along the town’s streets. This allows you to shape your visit around your own interests in architecture, views and audio orientation.

Local products and choosing your holiday apartment

A special culinary aspect can be experienced during the three-day Il Borgo Incantato event. There, you can sample typical products from the area at food stalls set up by residents of Gerace. When choosing your holiday apartment in Gerace, you can therefore consider whether you would like to focus your stay primarily on churches and museums, walks with views, the listening stations or a date coinciding with Il Borgo Incantato. The verified sights offer different reasons to visit, without requiring a stay to be limited to just one travel idea.

More destinations for travel planning: Mammola, Reggio Di Calabria, Pozzi, Riace Marina, Pellaro, Bovalino Marina, Saline Joniche and Laureana Di Borrello.

For the higher-level travel overview: Reggio Calabria.