What is known as the South is the most ancient and soul-based part of Italy. It is difficult to give you a sense of its complex nature and depth in a few lines. We’ll do our best because knowing the history of a place we’ll give you a better understanding of its people and their culture. We also believe that at this point time, Italy as a nation needs a process of reconciliation that can only happen through the recovery of historical memory with respect to the history of the South, especially the one of the last of two-century since the annexation of the South, then known as the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, to the Italian state. See Recovery of Historical Memory for more details.
Crossroads
For millennia the South has always been at the crossroads of civilizations, from Greek and Roman to Saracen, Norman, and Spanish to name a few. Carved stones and palaces tell stories of invasions and fights and struggles such as the ones of Roman slaves and gladiators. You can see ancient Greek temples older than the Romans. You can also get a sense of cosmopolitan ground of encounter of different cultures and people. See Culture for more details.
Food and Attitude
The taste and the smell of a wood-fired pizza and a strong espresso; a long lunch accompanied by strong vine; fresh-caught fish-based dish; cannoli just made.
You can go mushroom hunting, have your red eggplant at a country-road trattoria. You can feast on fresh sea-food “fritto misto” on an Adriatic beach? Or just kick back with a glass of Etna red while your creamiest buffalo mozzarella. See Taste for more details.
You’ll rarely be short of a conversation with people who are naturally curious, and quick to share their opinion. Family and friends are sacred, and time spent laughing, arguing, or gossiping is integral to life. No one is a stranger for long, and a casual “chiacchierata” (chat) could easily land you at the dining table of your new best friend. See Culture for more details.
Nature
The South presents you fiery volcanoes and electric-blue grottoes. Go down Calabria’s river Lao, climb Europe’s most active volcano, Stromboli, or dive into prehistoric sea caves on Puglia’s Gargano promontory. Bike across Basilicata, sail along the Amalfi Coast or simply soak in healing geothermal mud. The landscape is beautiful, diverse, and just a little ethereal.