Brancaleone is a municipality located along the Ionian coast of Calabria, in the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria. The town stretches for over 10 km from Capo Spartivento to Marinella di Bruzzano and is known for its sandy beaches and clear sea. In the past, Brancaleone was known as the "city of jasmines" due to the intensive cultivation of this plant, whose essence was used in perfumery and pharmacy. Today, the town is also called the "city of turtles" for hosting a rescue center for sea turtles.
History and Cultural Heritage
The origins of Brancaleone date back to the year 1000, with the historic center located in Brancaleone Superiore, also known as Brancaleone Vetus. This village, abandoned in the 1950s, still preserves ruins of churches, a castle, a convent, and other historical structures. The territory features rock-hewn churches and caves used by Basilian monks, with engravings of crosses and Armenian-style peacocks. The area is part of the “Valley of the Armenians,” a cultural-tourist itinerary that also includes Bruzzano Zeffirio, Staiti, and Ferruzzano Superiore.
Points of Interest
• Brancaleone Vetus: abandoned village with remains of historic buildings and rock churches.
• Sea Turtle Rescue Center: a facility dedicated to the care and protection of sea turtles.
• Cesare Pavese’s House: the home where the writer stayed during his exile between 1935 and 1936.