Calabria is the southern most region of Italy, the ankle and toe of the Italian "boot" – a rugged peninsula where grapevines, fig and olive trees cling to arid mountainsides, and where the timeless sea crashes against the cliffs and beaches of its long and intricate coastline, which faces east, south and west all at once.

It's true that the Calabrese are not quite ready for masses of English-speaking tourists. Indeed, you won't find too many people who converse confidently in English. Nor will you find many signs printed in English, or be able to buy English books, newspapers or magazines. But, so what?

Visit Calabria now - before the crowds arrive. You will get by with very few problems if you are patient and respectful, and all your needs will be met and you will have the vacation of your life!

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History

In the 8th century BC Calabria became a colony of the Greeks, who founded the cities of Reggio Calabria, Sibari and Crotone. Then in the 4th century BC it was occupied by the Bruttii, who during the Punic wars sided with Hannibal against the Romans. In 132 BC it was conquered by the Romans and included in the Third Region as Brutium, while the name Calabria was used only for the Salento Peninsula.

After the Roman Empire was split into Western and Eastern (with capital Byzantium), Calabria stayed under the Byzantines until the Lombards occupied it in the 7th century AD. In 885 the Byzantine general Niceforo Foca defeated Lombards and Saracens recovering the region.

Later on it was conquered by the Normans (1060), then by the Swabians, the Anjou and the Aragonese, under whose domination there were peasants' riots in 1459 and the famous rebellion led by Tommaso Campanella in 1599. The Spanish occupation was especially tyrannical for the region, and the 19th century saw the rise of patriot movements (the Carboneria) and riots, until in 1860 the population rose to support Garibaldi after he landed with his "red shirts" at Melito.

Calabria was then united to the newly established Kingdom of Italy. The decades that followed saw an increase in poverty and emigration, also due to the great disparity between the rich industrial regions of Northern Italy and the agricultural, poorer South.

But now... Calabria is reclaiming its past glory and pride, tired of being the forgotten and neglected part of Italy it grew accustomed to being during the last 500 years or so and ready to transform itself into a premier destination. It's got everything going for it.

When you come to the "new" Calabria, you will be dumbfounded by its scenery - whether you stay up in the mountains, or find your way along the winding coastal highways, to Calabria's seaside towns and beaches. You will find resorts, hotels, inns, hostels, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, lidos and tourist parks, of every quality and degree, catering to people with small, medium or large budgets.

Food The ancient Greeks lived and dined more lavishly in Calabria than in any other part of Magna Græcia. But the mountainous toe of the Italian boot remained isolated and poor for centuries after, as its cooking took on the tasty integrity of a country tradition. Calabrians have an appetite for hefty soups and pastas laden with vegetables, headed by eggplants, peppers and tomatoes and ranging on through artichokes, asparagus, potatoes, beans and peas. The red onions of Tropea, a town on the Tyrrhenian coast, are renowned for aroma and flavor. The lofty Sila range between Cosenza and Catanzaro abounds in mushrooms, including the prized porcini.

Wine Calabria, which forms the toe of the Italian boot, is a predominately mountainous region with marked variations in microclimates between the sunny coastal hills along the Ionian and Tyrrhenian seas and the chilly heights of the Sila and Aspromonte massifs. Two grape varieties of Greek origin dominate, Gaglioppo in red wines, Greco in whites, though the types of wine they make can vary markedly from one place to another. Calabria's best-known wine is Cirò, which grows in low hills along the Ionian coast between the ancient Greek cities of Sybaris and Kroton (Sibari and Crotone today). Local legend has it that Cirò descended directly from Krimisa, the wine Calabrian athletes drank to celebrate victory in an early Olympiad.

Art The region has a rich heritage of remains from the local artistic civilization. Archaeological excavations have brought to light ancient colonies in Sibari, Crotone, Catanzaro, Locri, Vibo Valentia. In Cosenza and Reggio Calabria, we can find remains of the Roman Age, such as baths, theaters and bridges. The religious buildings show Byzantine influences, dating back to the period when the region was part of the Empire of Byzantium. The Gothic style had a large diffusion during the thirteenth century. The Renaissance style is present in the paintings. The Baroque influence can be seen in several monuments.

Museums Catanzaro's Provincial Museum houses outstanding relics, from the Neolithic period to the Greek-Roman Age, and a remarkable collection of coins. In Reggio Calabria, the National Museum holds one of the most important archaeological collections in Italy: Paleolithic, Byzantine and Arab art, relics of the Bronze and Iron Ages, tomb outfits, pictorial tables and the world famous Bronzes of Riace, the two great bronze statues of warriors of the fifth century B.C. In Cosenza, one can visit the Museo Interdiocesano, with the treasure of the Cathedral, and the Civic Museum with prehistoric bronzes, Paleolithic manufactured goods and instruments.

Buying information

The buying process is secure and straightforward and it could not be easier.

The system and process is practically the same as for Spain, except we advise allowing 12% of the purchase price for closing costs. The payment structure is:

• Reservation €3,000
• 50% deposit in around 4-6 weeks
• Final 50% is due on completion (less the €3,000)
• VAT/Equivalent tax currently 10% is payable on completion
• Allow another 2% for other closing costs such as Notary and Solicitor
• Euro mortgages are available on these properties; interest rate 3.5% – 3.8%

Network Properties and our partner company in the Mediterranean provide a comprehensive after sales care service, totally free of charge. Our partners are a reputable and well known AIM listed plc, with a proven track record in overseas property who work only with the top, most highly sought after builders. All the planning consents, deeds and other legal aspects are thoroughly checked by their own legal department.

For your security and protection, all properties are guaranteed freehold and with debt-free deeds.

For your financial security, your deposit is held in our UK based solicitors' client account and is 100% secure via bank guarantee.

A London solicitor will be available to oversee the process on your behalf, together with an Italian Solicitor in Calabria, or you can select your own if you prefer.

Network Properties assists you throughout the entire process right up until completion, and beyond if you need us. You are guaranteed both UK and overseas contact and assistance at all times.

Italy currently offers tax saving benefits such as no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax and the wealth tax is a mere 0.4% of the fiscal value, which adds up to huge savings on the investment! These tax advantages make it an ideal place for investors.

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