Laureana di Borrello: Viewpoint, Old Town and Churches

Laureana di Borrello lies on a graceful hill and forms part of the Apennine range. The town combines a medieval-style centre with the viewpoint and regional festivals held on set dates.

Landscape between the viewpoint and the Tyrrhenian Sea

The viewpoint offers a particularly comprehensive view of Laureana di Borrello. To the south, the panorama encompasses a plain covered with olive and citrus trees, the Aspromonte and Monte S. Elia. To the west, the view extends across the plain watered by the Mesima and Metramo rivers to the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Aeolian Islands and Stromboli.

Historic centre with a medieval structure

The historic centre of Laureana di Borrello preserves a medieval urban structure. Small streets, alleyways and open spaces between the houses shape its spatial character. The centre also includes the palaces or remains of the palaces of Protospataro and Neri, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Churches and historic traces

The historic centre includes the private 17th-century church of Santa Maria della Sanità. Locally, it is known as the “Chiesola”. The site of the Chiesa Madre is also part of the centre. The Chiesa dei Santi Pietro e Paolo is included on the cultural heritage protection list of the Calabria region and is associated with protection order D.D.R. No. 612 of 4 August 2010.

From Borrello Hill to the Massari district

The remains of the historic castle are located on present-day Borrello Hill. Santa Maria degli Angeli was rebuilt in 1931 after the 1928 earthquake made it unusable. The origins of Laureana di Borrello are also connected with the Byzantine Hellenisation of Calabria and the influence of the Basilian monks, which began in the 7th century. The “Massari” district was associated with cultivating the fields and keeping working animals.

Festivals held on set dates

The Fiera di San Gregorio takes place on the third Sunday in November. Easter Sunday in Laureana di Borrello is associated with the “Affruntata”, in which statues of saints carried by the faithful depict the meeting of Jesus and Mary. Good Friday is also associated with the Via Crucis “A Caduta”. Its performance with live actors passes through the town’s main streets.

Forests, citrus fruits and olive oil

The natural resources used in Laureana di Borrello include forests, citrus fruits and olive oil.

Getting to the viewpoint

The viewpoint can be reached via the A3 Salerno–Reggio Calabria motorway. At the Rosarno exit, follow the signs for a further 12 km.

Other places in this regional area

For further travel planning, you can also consider Varapodio, Tritanti, Brancaleone, Ardore Marina, Bruzzano Zeffirio, Mammola, Saline Joniche and Portigliola.

For the higher-level travel overview: Reggio Calabria.