Seminara

Known for generations as the "City of Artistic Ceramics", Seminara is one of the most fascinating seaside and traditional craft destinations along the Costa Viola, in the Province of Reggio Calabria.
The renowned Seminara ceramics are among Calabria's most celebrated artistic creations. This ancient craft, handed down from father to son, can still be admired today in workshops throughout the town and at the Museum of Seminara Ceramics, where visitors can learn about the history of this tradition, the production techniques, and the apotropaic and good-luck symbols that characterise these colourful artefacts. The Chiesetta dei Pignatari bears clear witness to the ancient presence of ceramicists in Seminara, who, starting from Greco-Byzantine forms, now create unique pieces with a refined and contemporary aesthetic.
A town with a strong cultural tradition, in 1290 Seminara was the birthplace of the philosopher, theologian and mathematician Barlaam of Seminara (also known as Barlaam Calabrian), one of the teachers of Francesco Petrarca and Giovanni Boccaccio. A crossroads of art and culture between East and West, Seminara recounts its most ancient history through the remains of the 17th-century Mezzatesta Castle and the unmissable Byzantine Monastery of Saints Elijah and Philaretus, where monks still celebrate services according to the Orthodox rite.
Among the places of worship worth highlighting is the Basilica Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Poor, which houses the precious wooden statue of the Black Madonna, originating from ancient Tauriana, as well as a Madonna and Child attributed to the Gagini school. The adjoining Basilica Museum of Seminara displays sacred objects and liturgical vestments, as well as a rich collection of parchments and the Historic Archive of the Insigne Collegiata of Seminara. Also worth visiting is the Palazzo del Municipio, which preserves in its entrance hall and along the staircase marble fragments of the monuments of the old Seminara, which was destroyed in the 1908 earthquake.
Nature and sea lovers are spoilt for choice: the jewel of Seminara is Cala Janculla, an unspoilt paradise of rare beauty, perfect for snorkelling and diving enthusiasts. The beach is nestled between two rocky spurs and can be reached by boat or, for the more adventurous, by crossing the Sentiero del Tracciolino trail, a long and arduous route for hiking enthusiasts. Those who love the mountains can also opt for a hike to the Barritteri Geological and Archaeological Area, where it is possible to admire rocks bearing ancient Greek and Latin inscriptions, as well as breathtaking canyons and gorges. Among the most popular events in Seminara is the "Historical Procession of Charles V", in August: a re-enactment of the passage of Emperor Charles V through the medieval village. One of the most fascinating folk traditions in Seminara is the Dance of the Giants Mata and Grifone, two huge statues that dance to the incessant rhythm of drums.