Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Italy

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, has a long history, that starts around 8000 BC, but later there were Phoenician, Carthaginian, Greek, and Roman periods. After the Roman Empire had fallen apart the Vandals tried to take over the island but failed. Finally, the Ostrogoths took possession. Mid of the 6th century Sicily was conquered by troops of the Byzantine Empire. After the advent of Islam, Sicily got attacked by Arab forces. Raids seeking loot continued until the mid-8th century. A Muslim army was sent to the island in 827 but met with much resistance. So it took a century to conquer it and even later revolts constantly occurred In 1038 the Byzantines invaded the island supported by Norman mercenaries, led by Roger. In 1072, after the siege of Palermo, most of Sicily was under Norman control. Roger´s son Roger II raised the status +of the island to a kingdom in 1130. During this period, the Kingdom of Sicily was prosperous and powerful, The court of Roger II became melting out of culture from Europe and the Middle East. This attracted scholars, scientists, artists, and artisans. Muslims, Jews, Greeks, Lombards, and Normans cooperated and created some extraordinary buildings. In 1186 the last descendant of Roger, Constance of Sicily married Emperor Henry VI, the second son of Barbarossa. So the crown of Sicily was passed on to the Hohenstaufen Dynasty. Frederick II, the only son of Constance, was crowned King of Sicily at the age of four in 1198. He became "Stupor Mundi", one of the greatest and most cultured men of the Middle Ages. - A settlement is known here since Greek times and the Greek historian Diodorus Siculus first mentioned the place under the then-name Cephaloidion in 396 BC. Later Cicero speaks of it as apparently a flourishing town, enjoying full municipal privileges. After the fall of the Empire, the town was Byzantine, but like the whole island was soon subject to Arab incursions. Around 858 the city was conquered by the Arabs and was part of the Emirate of Sicily for about 200 years. In 1063, the Normans captured it. Under Roger II of Sicily, the city center was moved it from its almost inaccessible position on top of the Rocca di Cefalù to the foot of the limestone rock and in the 12th century, Cefalù experienced its heyday. Weather change in Cefalù. The Cathedral can be seen on the left and the huge "Rocca di Cefalù" on the left. _ I have already uploaded a lot of photos from previous taken in Cefalù. Now I will add only a few. If you want to see more, follow this link: www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1333402

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, has a long history, that starts around 8000 BC, but later there were Phoenician, Carthaginian, Greek, and Roman periods. After the Roman Empire had fallen apart the Vandals tried to take over the island but failed. Finally, the Ostrogoths took possession. Mid of the 6th century Sicily was conquered by troops of the Byzantine Empire. After the advent of Islam, Sicily got attacked by Arab forces. Raids seeking loot continued until the mid-8th century. A Muslim army was sent to the island in 827 but met with much resistance. So it took a century to conquer it and even later revolts constantly occurred In 1038 the Byzantines invaded the island supported by Norman mercenaries, led by Roger. In 1072, after the siege of Palermo, most of Sicily was under Norman control. Roger´s son Roger II raised the status +of the island to a kingdom in 1130. During this period, the Kingdom of Sicily was prosperous and powerful, The court of Roger II became melting out of culture from Europe and the Middle East. This attracted scholars, scientists, artists, and artisans. Muslims, Jews, Greeks, Lombards, and Normans cooperated and created some extraordinary buildings. In 1186 the last descendant of Roger, Constance of Sicily married Emperor Henry VI, the second son of Barbarossa. So the crown of Sicily was passed on to the Hohenstaufen Dynasty. Frederick II, the only son of Constance, was crowned King of Sicily at the age of four in 1198. He became "Stupor Mundi", one of the greatest and most cultured men of the Middle Ages. - A settlement is known here since Greek times and the Greek historian Diodorus Siculus first mentioned the place under the then-name Cephaloidion in 396 BC. Later Cicero speaks of it as apparently a flourishing town, enjoying full municipal privileges. After the fall of the Empire, the town was Byzantine, but like the whole island was soon subject to Arab incursions. Around 858 the city was conquered by the Arabs and was part of the Emirate of Sicily for about 200 years. In 1063, the Normans captured it. Under Roger II of Sicily, the city center was moved it from its almost inaccessible position on top of the Rocca di Cefalù to the foot of the limestone rock and in the 12th century, Cefalù experienced its heyday. The layout of the old town was created in the 12th century with the Norman church in the center. The street system was laid out in a grid pattern around it. The majority of the houses in the old town date back to the 16th century. _ I have already uploaded a lot of photos from previous taken in Cefalù. Now I will add only a few. If you want to see more, follow this link: www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1333402

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, has a long history, that starts around 8000 BC, but later there were Phoenician, Carthaginian, Greek, and Roman periods. After the Roman Empire had fallen apart the Vandals tried to take over the island but failed. Finally, the Ostrogoths took possession. Mid of the 6th century Sicily was conquered by troops of the Byzantine Empire. After the advent of Islam, Sicily got attacked by Arab forces. Raids seeking loot continued until the mid-8th century. A Muslim army was sent to the island in 827 but met with much resistance. So it took a century to conquer it and even later revolts constantly occurred In 1038 the Byzantines invaded the island supported by Norman mercenaries, led by Roger. In 1072, after the siege of Palermo, most of Sicily was under Norman control. Roger´s son Roger II raised the status +of the island to a kingdom in 1130. During this period, the Kingdom of Sicily was prosperous and powerful, The court of Roger II became melting out of culture from Europe and the Middle East. This attracted scholars, scientists, artists, and artisans. Muslims, Jews, Greeks, Lombards, and Normans cooperated and created some extraordinary buildings. In 1186 the last descendant of Roger, Constance of Sicily married Emperor Henry VI, the second son of Barbarossa. So the crown of Sicily was passed on to the Hohenstaufen Dynasty. Frederick II, the only son of Constance, was crowned King of Sicily at the age of four in 1198. He became "Stupor Mundi", one of the greatest and most cultured men of the Middle Ages. - A settlement is known here since Greek times and the Greek historian Diodorus Siculus first mentioned the place under the then-name Cephaloidion in 396 BC. Later Cicero speaks of it as apparently a flourishing town, enjoying full municipal privileges. After the fall of the Empire, the town was Byzantine, but like the whole island was soon subject to Arab incursions. Around 858 the city was conquered by the Arabs and was part of the Emirate of Sicily for about 200 years. In 1063, the Normans captured it. Under Roger II of Sicily, the city center was moved it from its almost inaccessible position on top of the Rocca di Cefalù to the foot of the limestone rock and in the 12th century, Cefalù experienced its heyday. The layout of the old town was created in the 12th century with the Norman church in the center. The street system was laid out in a grid pattern around it. The majority of the houses in the old town date back to the 16th century. _ The cathedral was planned by Roger II. The cathedral was to become his burial church. Construction began in 1131, but work was subsequently interrupted several times. In 1240 the facade was completed. The projecting part of the facade dates from 1472 and is the work of Ambrogio da Como. Together with the Arab-Norman Palermo and Monreale Cathedral, the church was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 2015. Once a Gothic window. _ I have already uploaded a lot of photos from previous taken in Cefalù. Now I will add only a few. If you want to see more, follow this link: www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1333402

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, has a long history, that starts around 8000 BC, but later there were Phoenician, Carthaginian, Greek, and Roman periods. After the Roman Empire had fallen apart the Vandals tried to take over the island but failed. Finally, the Ostrogoths took possession. Mid of the 6th century Sicily was conquered by troops of the Byzantine Empire. After the advent of Islam, Sicily got attacked by Arab forces. Raids seeking loot continued until the mid-8th century. A Muslim army was sent to the island in 827 but met with much resistance. So it took a century to conquer it and even later revolts constantly occurred In 1038 the Byzantines invaded the island supported by Norman mercenaries, led by Roger. In 1072, after the siege of Palermo, most of Sicily was under Norman control. Roger´s son Roger II raised the status +of the island to a kingdom in 1130. During this period, the Kingdom of Sicily was prosperous and powerful, The court of Roger II became melting out of culture from Europe and the Middle East. This attracted scholars, scientists, artists, and artisans. Muslims, Jews, Greeks, Lombards, and Normans cooperated and created some extraordinary buildings. In 1186 the last descendant of Roger, Constance of Sicily married Emperor Henry VI, the second son of Barbarossa. So the crown of Sicily was passed on to the Hohenstaufen Dynasty. Frederick II, the only son of Constance, was crowned King of Sicily at the age of four in 1198. He became "Stupor Mundi", one of the greatest and most cultured men of the Middle Ages. - A settlement is known here since Greek times and the Greek historian Diodorus Siculus first mentioned the place under the then-name Cephaloidion in 396 BC. Later Cicero speaks of it as apparently a flourishing town, enjoying full municipal privileges. After the fall of the Empire, the town was Byzantine, but like the whole island was soon subject to Arab incursions. Around 858 the city was conquered by the Arabs and was part of the Emirate of Sicily for about 200 years. In 1063, the Normans captured it. Under Roger II of Sicily, the city center was moved it from its almost inaccessible position on top of the Rocca di Cefalù to the foot of the limestone rock and in the 12th century, Cefalù experienced its heyday. The layout of the old town was created in the 12th century with the Norman church in the center. The street system was laid out in a grid pattern around it. The majority of the houses in the old town date back to the 16th century. _ The cathedral was planned by Roger II. The cathedral was to become his burial church. Construction began in 1131, but work was subsequently interrupted several times. In 1240 the facade was completed. The projecting part of the facade dates from 1472 and is the work of Ambrogio da Como. Together with the Arab-Norman Palermo and Monreale Cathedral, the church was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 2015. _ I have already uploaded a lot of photos from previous taken in Cefalù. Now I will add only a few. If you want to see more, follow this link: www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1333402

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, has a long history, that starts around 8000 BC, but later there were Phoenician, Carthaginian, Greek, and Roman periods. After the Roman Empire had fallen apart the Vandals tried to take over the island but failed. Finally, the Ostrogoths took possession. Mid of the 6th century Sicily was conquered by troops of the Byzantine Empire. After the advent of Islam, Sicily got attacked by Arab forces. Raids seeking loot continued until the mid-8th century. A Muslim army was sent to the island in 827 but met with much resistance. So it took a century to conquer it and even later revolts constantly occurred In 1038 the Byzantines invaded the island supported by Norman mercenaries, led by Roger. In 1072, after the siege of Palermo, most of Sicily was under Norman control. Roger´s son Roger II raised the status +of the island to a kingdom in 1130. During this period, the Kingdom of Sicily was prosperous and powerful, The court of Roger II became melting out of culture from Europe and the Middle East. This attracted scholars, scientists, artists, and artisans. Muslims, Jews, Greeks, Lombards, and Normans cooperated and created some extraordinary buildings. In 1186 the last descendant of Roger, Constance of Sicily married Emperor Henry VI, the second son of Barbarossa. So the crown of Sicily was passed on to the Hohenstaufen Dynasty. Frederick II, the only son of Constance, was crowned King of Sicily at the age of four in 1198. He became "Stupor Mundi", one of the greatest and most cultured men of the Middle Ages. - A settlement is known here since Greek times and the Greek historian Diodorus Siculus first mentioned the place under the then-name Cephaloidion in 396 BC. Later Cicero speaks of it as apparently a flourishing town, enjoying full municipal privileges. After the fall of the Empire, the town was Byzantine, but like the whole island was soon subject to Arab incursions. Around 858 the city was conquered by the Arabs and was part of the Emirate of Sicily for about 200 years. In 1063, the Normans captured it. Under Roger II of Sicily, the city center was moved it from its almost inaccessible position on top of the Rocca di Cefalù to the foot of the limestone rock and in the 12th century, Cefalù experienced its heyday. The layout of the old town was created in the 12th century with the Norman church in the center. The street system was laid out in a grid pattern around it. The majority of the houses in the old town date back to the 16th century. _ Rajmondi Parruccieri - Hairdressers since 1831. de-de.facebook.com/rajmondiparrucchiere - I have already uploaded a lot of photos from previous trips to Sicily. Now I will add only a few. If you want to see more, follow this link: www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1238300

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, has a long history, that starts around 8000 BC, but later there were Phoenician, Carthaginian, Greek, and Roman periods. After the Roman Empire had fallen apart the Vandals tried to take over the island but failed. Finally, the Ostrogoths took possession. Mid of the 6th century Sicily was conquered by troops of the Byzantine Empire. After the advent of Islam, Sicily got attacked by Arab forces. Raids seeking loot continued until the mid-8th century. A Muslim army was sent to the island in 827 but met with much resistance. So it took a century to conquer it and even later revolts constantly occurred In 1038 the Byzantines invaded the island supported by Norman mercenaries, led by Roger. In 1072, after the siege of Palermo, most of Sicily was under Norman control. Roger´s son Roger II raised the status +of the island to a kingdom in 1130. During this period, the Kingdom of Sicily was prosperous and powerful, The court of Roger II became melting out of culture from Europe and the Middle East. This attracted scholars, scientists, artists, and artisans. Muslims, Jews, Greeks, Lombards, and Normans cooperated and created some extraordinary buildings. In 1186 the last descendant of Roger, Constance of Sicily married Emperor Henry VI, the second son of Barbarossa. So the crown of Sicily was passed on to the Hohenstaufen Dynasty. Frederick II, the only son of Constance, was crowned King of Sicily at the age of four in 1198. He became "Stupor Mundi", one of the greatest and most cultured men of the Middle Ages. A settlement is known here since Greek times and the Greek historian Diodorus Siculus first mentioned the place under the then-name Cephaloidion in 396 BC. Later Cicero speaks of it as apparently a flourishing town, enjoying full municipal privileges. After the fall of the Empire, the town was Byzantine, but like the whole island was soon subject to Arab incursions. Around 858 the city was conquered by the Arabs and was part of the Emirate of Sicily for about 200 years. In 1063, the Normans captured it. Under Roger II of Sicily, the city center was moved it from its almost inaccessible position on top of the Rocca di Cefalù to the foot of the limestone rock and in the 12th century, Cefalù experienced its heyday. The layout of the old town was created in the 12th century with the Norman church in the center. The street system was laid out in a grid pattern around it. The majority of the houses in the old town date back to the 16th century. I have already uploaded a lot of photos from previous trips to Sicily. Now I will add only a few. If you want to see more, follow this link: www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1238300

The earliest historical records of the town of Patti date back to 1094 when the great Count Roger I of Sicily founded the Benedictine monastery of S. Salvatore in Patti. However, the origins of the place are much older. Various necropolises date back to the Roman period. In 1131 the diocese of Patti and Lipari was established; only in 1399 were the two dioceses separated and two separate dioceses were created. The church was built in Norman times when the monastery was founded and had to be almost completely rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693. Strange creatures guard the portal. I have already uploaded a lot of photos from previous trips to Sicily. Now I will add only a few. If you want to see more, follow this link: www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1238300

The earliest historical records of the town of Patti date back to 1094 when the great Count Roger I of Sicily founded the Benedictine monastery of S. Salvatore in Patti. However, the origins of the place are much older. Various necropolises date back to the Roman period. In 1131 the diocese of Patti and Lipari was established; only in 1399 were the two dioceses separated and two separate dioceses were created. The church was built in Norman times when the monastery was founded and had to be almost completely rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693. The facade I have already uploaded a lot of photos from previous trips to Sicily. Now I will add only a few. If you want to see more, follow this link: www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1238300

The earliest historical records of the town of Patti date back to 1094 when the great Count Roger I of Sicily founded the Benedictine monastery of S. Salvatore in Patti. However, the origins of the place are much older. Various necropolises date back to the Roman period. In 1131 the diocese of Patti and Lipari was established; only in 1399 were the two dioceses separated and two separate dioceses were created. The church was built in Norman times when the monastery was founded and had to be almost completely rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693. I have already uploaded a lot of photos from previous trips to Sicily. Now I will add only a few. If you want to see more, follow this link: www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1238300

Vulcano is a small volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, about 20 km north of Sicily, and located at the southernmost end of the seven Aeolian Islands. The island is known for its volcanic activity. The English word "volcano" derives from the name of this island, which derives from the Roman belief that the tiny island was the chimney of Vulcan, the Roman god of fire. Here the island is seen from Patti I have already uploaded a lot of photos from previous trips to Sicily. Now I will add only a few. If you want to see more, follow this link: www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1238300

Tindari has a long Greek and Roman history and was already a bishop's seat in ancient times. In 836 it was destroyed by the Arabs. In 1094 the present settlement was founded, destroyed during the Sicilian Vespers (1282), rebuilt and destroyed again by pirates. Where the great pilgrim church rises on its prominent hill above the wide bay of the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Greeks already had their acropolis. The Black Madonna of Tindari is venerated in the Roman Catholic pilgrimage church, built in the 1950s around a smaller, older church. According to tradition, the image of the Santuario came to Sicily in the 8th/9th century from Constantinople, where iconoclasm had broken out. Today it is named "Nera di Tindari". Legend has it that the image washed up in a box. The portrait bears the inscription NIGRA SUM SED FORMOSA ("I am black, but beautiful"). I have already uploaded a lot of photos from previous trips to Sicily. Now I will add only a few. If you want to see more, follow this link: www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1238300

Reggio Calabria is the largest city in Calabria. It has an estimated population of nearly 200,000. Reggio is the oldest city in the region, and during ancient times, it was an important and flourishing colony of Magna Graecia. It is separated from the island of Sicily by the Strait of Messina. Today Reggio has a modern urban system, set up after the catastrophic earthquake of 1908, which destroyed most of the city. The seismicity is caused by Reggio being on the Eurasian Plate near the faultline where it meets the African Plate that runs through the strait, dividing the two European regions of Calabria and Sicily into two different tectonic regions. Reggio, located opposite Messina, always had strategic importance. Invasions by the Vandals, the Lombards, and the Goths occurred in the 5th–6th centuries. Then, under Byzantine rule, it became a metropolis of Byzantine possessions in Italy. Until the 15th century, Reggio was one of the most important Greek-rite Bishoprics in Italy. The Arabs occupied Reggio in 918. For brief periods in the 10th–11th centuries, the city was ruled by the Arabs and it became part of the Emirate of Sicily. In 1005, a Christian fleet coming from Pisa sacked the city and massacred all the Saracens to the great jubilation of the local population. In 1060 the Normans, under Robert Guiscard and Roger I of Sicily, captured Reggio. In 1194 Reggio and the whole of southern Italy went to the Hohenstaufen, who held it until 1266. In 1234 the town fair was established by decree of King Frederick II. The building takes is name from the owner Luciano Pellicano. It was designed in 1922 by the architect Pietro Borradori and has Art Nouveau floral decoration.

Reggio Calabria is the largest city in Calabria. It has an estimated population of nearly 200,000. Reggio is the oldest city in the region, and during ancient times, it was an important and flourishing colony of Magna Graecia. It is separated from the island of Sicily by the Strait of Messina. Today Reggio has a modern urban system, set up after the catastrophic earthquake of 1908, which destroyed most of the city. The seismicity is caused by Reggio being on the Eurasian Plate near the faultline where it meets the African Plate that runs through the strait, dividing the two European regions of Calabria and Sicily into two different tectonic regions. Reggio, located opposite Messina, always had strategic importance. Invasions by the Vandals, the Lombards, and the Goths occurred in the 5th–6th centuries. Then, under Byzantine rule, it became a metropolis of Byzantine possessions in Italy. Until the 15th century, Reggio was one of the most important Greek-rite Bishoprics in Italy. The Arabs occupied Reggio in 918. For brief periods in the 10th–11th centuries, the city was ruled by the Arabs and it became part of the Emirate of Sicily. In 1005, a Christian fleet coming from Pisa sacked the city and massacred all the Saracens to the great jubilation of the local population. In 1060 the Normans, under Robert Guiscard and Roger I of Sicily, captured Reggio. In 1194 Reggio and the whole of southern Italy went to the Hohenstaufen, who held it until 1266. In 1234 the town fair was established by decree of King Frederick II. The modern city system, created after the catastrophic earthquake of 1908, consists of dead straight, wide streets.

Reggio Calabria is the largest city in Calabria. It has an estimated population of nearly 200,000. Reggio is the oldest city in the region, and during ancient times, it was an important and flourishing colony of Magna Graecia. It is separated from the island of Sicily by the Strait of Messina. Today Reggio has a modern urban system, set up after the catastrophic earthquake of 1908, which destroyed most of the city. The seismicity is caused by Reggio being on the Eurasian Plate near the faultline where it meets the African Plate that runs through the strait, dividing the two European regions of Calabria and Sicily into two different tectonic regions. Reggio, located opposite Messina, always had strategic importance. Invasions by the Vandals, the Lombards, and the Goths occurred in the 5th–6th centuries. Then, under Byzantine rule, it became a metropolis of Byzantine possessions in Italy. Until the 15th century, Reggio was one of the most important Greek-rite Bishoprics in Italy. The Arabs occupied Reggio in 918. For brief periods in the 10th–11th centuries, the city was ruled by the Arabs and it became part of the Emirate of Sicily. In 1005, a Christian fleet coming from Pisa sacked the city and massacred all the Saracens to the great jubilation of the local population. In 1060 the Normans, under Robert Guiscard and Roger I of Sicily, captured Reggio. In 1194 Reggio and the whole of southern Italy went to the Hohenstaufen, who held it until 1266. In 1234 the town fair was established by decree of King Frederick II. The Palazzo Piacentini houses the fantastic "Museo Archeologico Nazionale Di Reggio Calabria" aka "Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia". The two most famous inhabitants of the museum are the "Riace Bronzes" aka "Riace Warriors". These are two full-size Greek bronzes of naked bearded warriors, cast about 460–450 BC that were found in the sea in 1972 near Riace. Although the bronzes were rediscovered in 1972, they did not emerge from conservation until 1981. Considered one of the symbols of Calabria, the bronzes were commemorated even by a pair of Italian postage stamps. Both sculptures were made using the lost wax casting technique. There is still debate on who found the statues. Either a Roman tourist chanced upon the bronzes while snorkeling some 200 meters from the coast of Riace. Or they were found by four young teenagers from Riacef. Having found the statues underwater, they went to the government finances office and declared their find. At the time the sculptures were made much of Calabria was part of Magna Graecia. The Riace bronzes are surviving examples of ancient Greek sculpture. Their musculature is clear, yet not incised, and looks soft enough to be visible and realistic. The bronzes' turned heads add life to the figures. Their lips and nipples are made of copper. At one time, they held spears and shields, but those have not been found.

Reggio Calabria is the largest city in Calabria. It has an estimated population of nearly 200,000. Reggio is the oldest city in the region, and during ancient times, it was an important and flourishing colony of Magna Graecia. It is separated from the island of Sicily by the Strait of Messina. Today Reggio has a modern urban system, set up after the catastrophic earthquake of 1908, which destroyed most of the city. The seismicity is caused by Reggio being on the Eurasian Plate near the faultline where it meets the African Plate that runs through the strait, dividing the two European regions of Calabria and Sicily into two different tectonic regions. Reggio, located opposite Messina, always had strategic importance. Invasions by the Vandals, the Lombards, and the Goths occurred in the 5th–6th centuries. Then, under Byzantine rule, it became a metropolis of Byzantine possessions in Italy. Until the 15th century, Reggio was one of the most important Greek-rite Bishoprics in Italy. The Arabs occupied Reggio in 918. For brief periods in the 10th–11th centuries, the city was ruled by the Arabs and it became part of the Emirate of Sicily. In 1005, a Christian fleet coming from Pisa sacked the city and massacred all the Saracens to the great jubilation of the local population. In 1060 the Normans, under Robert Guiscard and Roger I of Sicily, captured Reggio. In 1194 Reggio and the whole of southern Italy went to the Hohenstaufen, who held it until 1266. In 1234 the town fair was established by decree of King Frederick II. The Palazzo Piacentini houses the fantastic "Museo Archeologico Nazionale Di Reggio Calabria" aka "Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia". The two most famous inhabitants of the museum are the "Riace Bronzes" aka "Riace Warriors". These are two full-size Greek bronzes of naked bearded warriors, cast about 460–450 BC that were found in the sea in 1972 near Riace. Although the bronzes were rediscovered in 1972, they did not emerge from conservation until 1981. Considered one of the symbols of Calabria, the bronzes were commemorated even by a pair of Italian postage stamps. Both sculptures were made using the lost wax casting technique. There is still debate on who found the statues. Either a Roman tourist chanced upon the bronzes while snorkeling some 200 meters from the coast of Riace. Or they were found by four young teenagers from Riacef. Having found the statues underwater, they went to the government finances office and declared their find. At the time the sculptures were made much of Calabria was part of Magna Graecia. The Riace bronzes are surviving examples of ancient Greek sculpture. Their musculature is clear, yet not incised, and looks soft enough to be visible and realistic. The bronzes' turned heads add life to the figures. Their lips and nipples are made of copper. At one time, they held spears and shields, but those have not been found.

Reggio Calabria is the largest city in Calabria. It has an estimated population of nearly 200,000. Reggio is the oldest city in the region, and during ancient times, it was an important and flourishing colony of Magna Graecia. It is separated from the island of Sicily by the Strait of Messina. Today Reggio has a modern urban system, set up after the catastrophic earthquake of 1908, which destroyed most of the city. The seismicity is caused by Reggio being on the Eurasian Plate near the faultline where it meets the African Plate that runs through the strait, dividing the two European regions of Calabria and Sicily into two different tectonic regions. Reggio, located opposite Messina, always had strategic importance. Invasions by the Vandals, the Lombards, and the Goths occurred in the 5th–6th centuries. Then, under Byzantine rule, it became a metropolis of Byzantine possessions in Italy. Until the 15th century, Reggio was one of the most important Greek-rite Bishoprics in Italy. The Arabs occupied Reggio in 918. For brief periods in the 10th–11th centuries, the city was ruled by the Arabs and it became part of the Emirate of Sicily. In 1005, a Christian fleet coming from Pisa sacked the city and massacred all the Saracens to the great jubilation of the local population. In 1060 the Normans, under Robert Guiscard and Roger I of Sicily, captured Reggio. In 1194 Reggio and the whole of southern Italy went to the Hohenstaufen, who held it until 1266. In 1234 the town fair was established by decree of King Frederick II. The Palazzo Piacentini houses the fantastic "Museo Archeologico Nazionale Di Reggio Calabria" aka "Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia". The two most famous inhabitants of the museum are the "Riace Bronzes" aka "Riace Warriors". These are two full-size Greek bronzes of naked bearded warriors, cast about 460–450 BC that were found in the sea in 1972 near Riace. Although the bronzes were rediscovered in 1972, they did not emerge from conservation until 1981. Considered one of the symbols of Calabria, the bronzes were commemorated even by a pair of Italian postage stamps. Both sculptures were made using the lost wax casting technique. There is still debate on who found the statues. Either Roman Stefano Mariottini chanced upon the bronzes while snorkeling some 200 meters from the coast of Riace. Or they were found by four young teenagers from Riacef. Having found the statues underwater, they went to the government finances office and declared their find. At the time the sculptures were made much of Calabria was part of Magna Graecia. The Riace bronzes are surviving examples of ancient Greek sculpture. Their musculature is clear, yet not incised, and looks soft enough to be visible and realistic. The bronzes' turned heads add life to the figures. Their lips and nipples are made of copper. At one time, they held spears and shields, but those have not been found.

Reggio Calabria is the largest city in Calabria. It has an estimated population of nearly 200,000. Reggio is the oldest city in the region, and during ancient times, it was an important and flourishing colony of Magna Graecia. It is separated from the island of Sicily by the Strait of Messina. Today Reggio has a modern urban system, set up after the catastrophic earthquake of 1908, which destroyed most of the city. The seismicity is caused by Reggio being on the Eurasian Plate near the faultline where it meets the African Plate that runs through the strait, dividing the two European regions of Calabria and Sicily into two different tectonic regions. Reggio, located opposite Messina, always had strategic importance. Invasions by the Vandals, the Lombards, and the Goths occurred in the 5th–6th centuries. Then, under Byzantine rule, it became a metropolis of Byzantine possessions in Italy. Until the 15th century, Reggio was one of the most important Greek-rite Bishoprics in Italy. The Arabs occupied Reggio in 918. For brief periods in the 10th–11th centuries, the city was ruled by the Arabs and it became part of the Emirate of Sicily. In 1005, a Christian fleet coming from Pisa sacked the city and massacred all the Saracens to the great jubilation of the local population. In 1060 the Normans, under Robert Guiscard and Roger I of Sicily, captured Reggio. In 1194 Reggio and the whole of southern Italy went to the Hohenstaufen, who held it until 1266. In 1234 the town fair was established by decree of King Frederick II. The Palazzo Piacentini houses the fantastic "Museo Archeologico Nazionale Di Reggio Calabria" aka "Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia". The two most famous inhabitants of the museum are the "Riace Bronzes" aka "Riace Warriors". These are two full-size Greek bronzes of naked bearded warriors, cast about 460–450 BC that were found in the sea in 1972 near Riace. Although the bronzes were rediscovered in 1972, they did not emerge from conservation until 1981. Considered one of the symbols of Calabria, the bronzes were commemorated even by a pair of Italian postage stamps. Both sculptures were made using the lost wax casting technique. There is still debate on who found the statues. Either Roman Stefano Mariottini chanced upon the bronzes while snorkeling some 200 meters from the coast of Riace. Or they were found by four young teenagers from Riacef. Having found the statues underwater, they went to the government finances office and declared their find. At the time the sculptures were made much of Calabria was part of Magna Graecia. The Riace bronzes are surviving examples of ancient Greek sculpture. Their musculature is clear, yet not incised, and looks soft enough to be visible and realistic. The bronzes' turned heads add life to the figures. Their lips and nipples are made of copper. At one time, they held spears and shields, but those have not been found.

Reggio Calabria is the largest city in Calabria. It has an estimated population of nearly 200,000. Reggio is the oldest city in the region, and during ancient times, it was an important and flourishing colony of Magna Graecia. It is separated from the island of Sicily by the Strait of Messina. Today Reggio has a modern urban system, set up after the catastrophic earthquake of 1908, which destroyed most of the city. The seismicity is caused by Reggio being on the Eurasian Plate near the faultline where it meets the African Plate that runs through the strait, dividing the two European regions of Calabria and Sicily into two different tectonic regions. Reggio, located opposite Messina, always had strategic importance. Invasions by the Vandals, the Lombards, and the Goths occurred in the 5th–6th centuries. Then, under Byzantine rule, it became a metropolis of Byzantine possessions in Italy. Until the 15th century, Reggio was one of the most important Greek-rite Bishoprics in Italy. The Arabs occupied Reggio in 918. For brief periods in the 10th–11th centuries, the city was ruled by the Arabs and it became part of the Emirate of Sicily. In 1005, a Christian fleet coming from Pisa sacked the city and massacred all the Saracens to the great jubilation of the local population. In 1060 the Normans, under Robert Guiscard and Roger I of Sicily, captured Reggio. In 1194 Reggio and the whole of southern Italy went to the Hohenstaufen, who held it until 1266. In 1234 the town fair was established by decree of King Frederick II. The Palazzo Piacentini houses the fantastic "Museo Archeologico Nazionale Di Reggio Calabria" aka "Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia". The two most famous inhabitants of the museum are the "Riace Bronzes" aka "Riace Warriors". These are two full-size Greek bronzes of naked bearded warriors, cast about 460–450 BC that were found in the sea in 1972 near Riace. Although the bronzes were rediscovered in 1972, they did not emerge from conservation until 1981. Considered one of the symbols of Calabria, the bronzes were commemorated even by a pair of Italian postage stamps. Both sculptures were made using the lost wax casting technique. There is still debate on who found the statues. Either Roman Stefano Mariottini chanced upon the bronzes while snorkeling some 200 meters from the coast of Riace. Or they were found by four young teenagers from Riacef. Having found the statues underwater, they went to the government finances office and declared their find. At the time the sculptures were made much of Calabria was part of Magna Graecia. The Riace bronzes are surviving examples of ancient Greek sculpture. Their musculature is clear, yet not incised, and looks soft enough to be visible and realistic. The bronzes' turned heads add life to the figures. Their lips and nipples are made of copper. At one time, they held spears and shields, but those have not been found.