REGGIO CALABRIA – “People in Aspromonte” excursion to the Calanna Fortress

The “Gente in Aspromonte” hiking association proposes, for Sunday 21 April, an itinerary that concerns the Calanna Fortress.

The ancient toponym of Calanna, from the Greek Kale-amuna (beautiful shelter), immediately reveals the military strategic origin of the site. Today the modern center of Calanna stands out for the particular charm linked to the nature of the land, which brings it closer to the ancient Turkish region of Cappadocia.

In fact, the territory is characterized by the presence of sandstones, called “tafoni”, shaped for millennia by atmospheric agents, a shell-like limestone corroded by wind action shaped just as happened in the ancient area of ​​Asia Minor.

But Calanna was above all at the center of strong military interests; evidence of this is the Norman castle built on a pre-existing Byzantine nucleus. In 1283 at the end of the Vespers War, the village fell into Aragonese hands, only to return to the Angevins in 1302, with the Peace of Caltabellotta. In modern times it was elevated to Barony with all the hamlets and assigned to Fulcone Ruffo, Count of Sinopoli.

You go along the Gallico stream for a short stretch, and after crossing it, you start the uphill path, which after about 50 m. takes us to the crest of the hill.

You then continue on flat terrain for another 30 m. about. We continue on the asphalt road up to the Rosaniti di Calanna district, crossing it and immediately after taking the path that leads to the Rinizzi fountain, from here we continue for about 20 m. until you reach the Bruca district.

We continue from here on the asphalt road to the Ronzo district where we find the remains of a Protohistoric Necropolis dating back to the 10th-9th century BC (Possible visit to the museum).

You continue the journey downhill, still on an asphalt road, and you arrive at Calanna, you will cross the town center until you reach Piazza Belvedere, located under the Norman Castle.

Furthermore, from the square you can admire a beautiful panorama that goes from the Sicilian coast to the Calabrian one. We continue the uphill journey and reach the castle where we can visit the ruins and the old walls.
Stop for lunch at the Belvedere square.

Once lunch is over, we take the return road, the first part on an asphalt road and then on a dirt path. After about 1 h and 10 m. you reach the cars. (rrc)