Walk through the centuries

"Full of palaces beautifully situated, set on a narrow side of the rock [...] Amazed by so many views that present themselves on every side. In Gerace every rock, sanctuary or palace, seemed to be placed and colored intentionally for the artists ..." 

E.Lear

How many of you have heard one little village called Gerace? Masterpiece of human hands which is situated near to Ionic coast in South Italy. Maybe some of us has even travelled there, has enjoyed fantastic walking through the centuries, sat down in Belvedere Bombarde letting your mind to flow watching the view. 

Arms of coat

Gerace is considered to be one of most beautiful villages in Italy, what is still remained to delight us. It is founded by the inhabitants of the Locride, who ran there from the attacks of saracens, following a sparrowhawk, tells the city legend. The name Gerace is belived to derive form  "jérax", sparrowhawk in greek.The bird is represented nowadays on the city arms of coats, which you can find also on the piazza di tocco. 

Village is little, but has a lot of religious buildings, which some of them are damaged by the earthquakes or reconstructed. They are built in different centuries. In Cattedrale dell'Assunta, the biggest religious building in Calabria, is possible to see the altar of paganism which was discovered in '50's during the reconstruction. 

One village worth to visit if your are adventurous, as to this city the public transport do not go. Arriving there is little bit difficult, as it is situated in the mountains, but worth all the trouble the road put you through. 

The sights to see: 

Castle of normans

- The castle of normans (XI sec.)                                

- Cathredal dell'Assunta (1045)
- The church of San Francesco (XIII sec.)
- The church of San Giovannello (XI sec.)
- The church of Santa Maria di Monserrato (XVII sec.)
- The church of San Martino (X sec.)
- The church of Santa Maria del Mastro (XVII sec.)
- The churchch of San Giorgio

- The church of Sacro Cuore (XVIII sec.)
- The church of Sant’Anna 
- The church of San Nicola (VII-VIII sec.)
- The church of San Siminio  

 - Monastery of Cappuccini  (1534)
- Monastery of Minori Osservanti (1612)
- Monastery San Francesco d’Assisi (1252) 

(for women) 

- Belvedere Bombarde (viewpoint) 

Cathedral dell'Assunta view inside

- l’Arco dei Vescovi (arc of bishops)

  - Palazzo del Balzo
- Palazzo Vitale
- Palazzo Delfino
- Casa Marvasi
 

- Porta del Sole
- Porta delle Bombarde 

Village is more alive during the "italian vacation time", 20.07-31.08, when all Italy rest from the year's work. During this period is as well open the wine bar (website in italian) of Gerace, where is possible to taste and buy the wine from the region, as well the one of Gerace, called Greco di Gerace. Which they tell, is impossible to find in another place.  
One very fantastic video of the view that offers you the village : 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IxhgZzAvaI&feature=player_embedded#!