Location and geographical context

Staiti is a small town of just 221 inhabitants, located in the lower Ionian Reggio area, at the extreme south of the Aspromonte National Park. The village is located at 550 meters above sea level, perched on the side of the Rocca Giambatore, with a panoramic view of the Bruzzano river valley. The town follows the rocky contours of the territory and fits perfectly into the mountain, offering a balance between precariousness and solidity.

 

Historical notes

The first historical attestations date back to the 14th century, when Staiti was part of the Brancaleone fiefdom governed by Geronimo Ruffo di Calabria. However, numerous clues suggest Byzantine origins, confirmed by the presence of Greek linguistic elements in the local dialect and by archaeological finds. The current name is due to the Staiti family, who bought and fortified the village in the sixteenth century, before selling it to the Carafa di Roccella, feudal lords until 1806.

In the Norman era, Staiti experienced a phase of religious and strategic flourishing: the village became a reference point for the Basilian monks and for the Greek-Byzantine cult. Its population once exceeded 1500 inhabitants, with a lively economy even in difficult times.

 

Religious and artistic heritage

A symbolic element of the village is the Church of Santa Maria dei Tridetti, declared a National Monument. Built in the Norman era on a Byzantine base, the church is considered a unique architectural example, the result of the fusion between Byzantine and Norman styles. Its three apses facing east and the reused capitals make it a true stone book of medieval Calabria.

Other important churches are:

• Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria, the center of the religious and social life of the town;

• Church of Sant’Anna, where the celebrations of the patronal feast take place.

 

Religious traditions and folklore

The most heartfelt moment is the feast of Sant’Anna (July 26), preceded by nine days of novena. The drums resound to call the faithful and many emigrants return to the village. The celebration is a moment of strong community cohesion and collective identity.

 

Culture and historical memory

Staiti preserves a cultural heritage linked to the Greek-Orthodox tradition, enhanced by the Museum of the Italo-Greek Saints, which exhibits 22 Byzantine icons and 18 terracotta bas-reliefs made by the sculptors Francesco and Fortunato Violi. The works tell the story of the ancient medieval Calabrian basilicas and are installed along the external walls of the village, transforming Staiti into an open-air museum.

Another recent cultural initiative is the “painted doors” project: street art interventions on some of the doors of the houses, with social messages and symbolic images, created thanks to the Civil Service and the Pro Loco.

 

Path of the Byzantine Churches

Staiti also offers a thematic route through its streets: the Path of the Byzantine Churches, enriched with bas-reliefs and artistic panels, which guide the visitor to discover the most significant places of the Byzantine presence in Calabria. The path blends spirituality, art and territory in an immersive experience.

 

Gastronomy

Among the local specialties, the typical dish “maccarruni e carni i crapa” stands out, the protagonist of the summer festival held every year on the second Sunday of August. Among the local products, the red apple of Staiti should also be mentioned, spherical in shape, fragrant, grown locally and harvested in October.