Located near the "toe" of Italy, Brancaleone is a laid-back coastal town in the Province of Reggio Calabria. It was here that the famous Italian poet and novelist Cesare Pavese was exiled in 1935 after being arrested for his anti-fascist activities.
Things to do in Brancaleone
Stretching the length of Brancaleone is a sandy beach where you can swim and sunbathe in the warmer months. If you prefer to stay dry, stretch your legs on the Lungomare di Brancaleone or soak up the views from one of the restaurants backing the beach. A short walk from the sand is the Dimora del Confino di Cesare Pavese, which offers an insight into the novelist’s life in exile.
In the rocky hills overlooking Brancaleone is Parco Archeologico Urbano di Brancaleone Vetus, which preserves the remains of a settlement dating back to the 7th century. Its caves and monasteries were once home to Greek-Byzantine monks, who brought their spiritual beliefs with them as they fled persecution in the east. From the site, there are magnificent views across the Ionian Sea and the Aspromonte Massif.
Brancaleone makes an excellent base for visiting Aspromonte National Park, a rugged wilderness area that provides habitat for Italian wolves, Bonelli’s eagles and peregrine falcons. Hiking routes lead through its beech, silver fir and holm oak forests, and ascend to the 1,956-metre-high peak of Montalto. Don’t miss the impressive Rocca del Drako or the atmospheric ghost town of Àfrico Vecchio.
Getting around Brancaleone
Brancaleone is around an hour’s drive from Reggio Calabria and Reggio Calabria Airport, which has regular flights to Milan and Rome. Buses connect to Bracaleone and the town is small enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the area.