Discover Monasterace Marina: Kaulon and the Coast

Monasterace Marina offers travellers two distinct points of interest: beaches for relaxing and swimming, and the archaeological remains of Kaulon. A waterfront promenade is also part of the town’s character. When planning a stay, you can consider whether the coast or ancient history is your main focus.

Kaulon and its archaeological remains

The Archaeological Park of Monasterace Marina lies on the Punta Stilo promontory, on the site of the colonial centre of Kaulon, founded by Achaean settlers from Croton. Its monumental remains include a sandstone Doric peripteral temple, dated to 470–460 BC. A peripteros is a type of temple surrounded by a colonnade; the term describes the building’s architecture, while its material and date provide further specific points of reference. The park also includes the thermal bath area known as the “Sala dei Draghi e dei Delfini” (Hall of the Dragons and Dolphins). It covers about 30 square metres and features a complex floor mosaic dating from between the end of the 4th century and the first decades of the 3rd century BC. Here, the archaeological remains bring together structures and mosaic art, each with its own chronological context.

The Archaeological Museum adds to the picture of Kaulon and its finds. Its interpretive tour presents the settlement, sacred areas and necropolises. The exhibits include the inscribed bronze tablet “Tabula Cauloniensis”: it is dedicated to Zeus, written in the Achaean alphabet and dated to 470–460 BC. A mosaic also connects the park and the collection: it was originally set into the threshold of a banqueting room in the so-called Casa del Drago (House of the Dragon); today it is on display in the museum. The tablet and the mosaic offer different ways of discovering the site—through an inscription and its dedication on the one hand, and through the mosaic’s original setting on the other.

The museum also preserves finds recovered during excavations and underwater salvage in the surrounding area. The archaeological park includes a large underwater archaeological area with more than 200 finds. The finds from excavations and underwater salvage thus complement the architectural remains and the objects on display in the museum.

The coast and historic sites in the town centre

The beaches of Monasterace Marina are suited to relaxing and swimming; the waterfront promenade is another landmark for a stay by the water. Check current conditions before visiting the beach. The ruins of the residences of the Marchesa Di Francia are also in the centre of Monasterace Marina. This brings the coast, archaeological remains and another historic site together as distinct themes to consider when planning your trip.

Religious festivals and when to visit

U Territoriu is a procession held every three years in honour of Sant’Andrea Avellino, the patron saint of Monasterace. Its route covers about 20 kilometres through the entire municipal area. Halfway along the route, the procession stops at the Chiesa di San Giuseppe Lavoratore in Monasterace Marina. The route length and stop provide specific points of reference for planning; check exact dates and participation details separately.

The Feast of the Madonna di Porto Salvo takes place every year on the last Sunday in June. It honours the Madonna as patron saint of fishermen and the community. The feast includes a procession at sea, during which a wooden statue of the Madonna is carried. The two traditions differ in their timing and setting: U Territoriu returns every three years and passes through the municipal area, while the annual Feast of the Madonna takes place on the last Sunday in June and includes a procession at sea. If you would like to include a festival in your travel plans, check the specific dates and arrangements in advance.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: San Ferdinando, Gioia Tauro, Mammola, Reggio Di Calabria, Bianco, Oliveto, Gerace, Pozzi

For the broader travel overview: Reggio Calabria.