ZRG Strikes Gold
•
Telenor Microfinance Bank awards ZRG OneView Contact Center System
•
ZRG Receives 5th Consecutive Achievement Gold Award from FPCCI
•
Al Baraka Bank Chooses ZRG OneView CMS Software
•
PSO Awards Contact Center Tender To ZRG
•
ZRG Strikes Gold
•
Telenor Microfinance Bank awards ZRG OneView Contact Center System
•
ZRG Receives 5th Consecutive Achievement Gold Award from FPCCI
•
Al Baraka Bank Chooses ZRG OneView CMS Software
•
PSO Awards Contact Center Tender To ZRG
•
ZRG Strikes Gold
•
Telenor Microfinance Bank awards ZRG OneView Contact Center System
•
ZRG Receives 5th Consecutive Achievement Gold Award from FPCCI
•
Al Baraka Bank Chooses ZRG OneView CMS Software
•
PSO Awards Contact Center Tender To ZRG
•
ZRG Strikes Gold
•
Telenor Microfinance Bank awards ZRG OneView Contact Center System
•
ZRG Receives 5th Consecutive Achievement Gold Award from FPCCI
•
Al Baraka Bank Chooses ZRG OneView CMS Software
•
PSO Awards Contact Center Tender To ZRG
•
Episode 18 of 20 – Regional Capitals of Italy Series
Calabria is not polished Italy.
It is ancient Italy.
Wind carved cliffs. Greek ruins above open sea. Hilltop towns rebuilt after earthquakes. Spice, stone, and survival.
In Episode 18 of the Immersion Travel Italy Podcast, we travel deep into Calabria and explore its regional capital, Catanzaro — a city perched between two seas, layered with Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Norman, Spanish, and Bourbon history.
This is southern Italy at its most authentic.
The Deep History of Calabria
Calabria’s story begins with Magna Graecia in the 8th century BC.
Greek colonies such as Kroton and Rhegion became intellectual and commercial centers. Pythagoras lived here. Early written law codes were created here. The region was central to Mediterranean civilization.
The Romans followed. Then the Byzantines, whose domed churches still stand in mountain villages. The Normans fortified hilltops. The Spanish and Bourbons governed for centuries. Earthquakes reshaped cities. Migration reshaped families.
Calabria absorbed history rather than reinventing itself.
And that layered endurance defines it.
Catanzaro – The Modern Capital Between Two Seas
Catanzaro became Calabria’s official regional capital in 1970.
Perched on a ridge overlooking the Ionian Sea, the city feels elevated and defensive — a reminder of its Byzantine and Norman roots.
What to See in Catanzaro
Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta – rebuilt after WWII but rooted in Norman foundations
Complesso Monumentale di San Giovanni – former castle grounds with sweeping views
Corso Mazzini – the spine of daily life
Basilica dell’Immacolata – Bourbon era elegance
Catanzaro was once famous for silk production in the 15th and 16th centuries. Skilled artisans here helped shape Europe’s textile trade.
This is not a flashy capital.
It is a lived in one.
Catanzaro Lido & the Ionian Coast
Just 10 km from the historic center, Catanzaro Lido opens to the Gulf of Squillace.
Long sandy beaches. Warm Ionian waters. Evening promenades filled with families and laughter.
Unlike the dramatic cliffs of the Tyrrhenian coast, the Ionian side is expansive and open.
Morning swims. Aperitivo at sunset. Local beach clubs in summer.
This is Calabria at ease.
What to Eat in Calabria
Calabrian cuisine is bold.
Look for:
’Nduja – spicy spreadable pork salami
Fileja – traditional twisted pasta
Pecorino Crotonese
Cipolla Rossa di Tropea
Swordfish and coastal seafood
Peperoncino in almost everything
This is not subtle food.
It is fiery. Honest. Agricultural. Proud.
Festivals of Catanzaro
Festa di San Vitaliano – July
The city’s patron saint procession fills the streets with candles, music, and fireworks.
Holy Week
Deeply theatrical southern Italian processions with confraternities and sacred statues.
Fiera di San Lorenzo – August
A historic trading fair blending commerce, tradition, and summer celebration.
For monthly festival calendars, immersive travel tips, and insider access to upcoming episodes and books, sign up for the free newsletter at: https://katerinaferrara.com/newsletter/
Travel slowly. Travel deeply. And let the regions tell their stories.
Congratulations on this wonderful travel guide! It was a genuine pleasure to read such a thoughtful and beautifully crafted presentation of Calabria. Too often this region is overlooked, yet your article captures its authenticity, culture, landscapes, and unique character with clarity and enthusiasm. The way you showcase Catanzaro and its surroundings makes readers want to experience the region firsthand and discover its hidden treasures. Thank you for presenting Calabria, my homeland, with such care and respect—it is exactly the kind of storytelling that helps international travelers appreciate the richness of this remarkable part of Italy. Wishing you continued success with your website and future travel features! 🌿🇮🇹
Congratulations on this wonderful travel guide! It was a genuine pleasure to read such a thoughtful and beautifully crafted presentation of Calabria. Too often this region is overlooked, yet your article captures its authenticity, culture, landscapes, and unique character with clarity and enthusiasm. The way you showcase Catanzaro and its surroundings makes readers want to experience the region firsthand and discover its hidden treasures. Thank you for presenting Calabria, my homeland, with such care and respect—it is exactly the kind of storytelling that helps international travelers appreciate the richness of this remarkable part of Italy. Wishing you continued success with your website and future travel features! 🌿🇮🇹