Bova

Member of I Borghi più belli d'Italia

Filippo Parisi from Reggio Calabria, ItalyBova - View from Palizzi - Photo by Filippo Parisi CC BY 2.0
MmoyaqBova Piazza Roma CC BY-SA 4.0
MmoyaqApotecaria a Bova CC BY-SA 4.0
Michael from MinnesotaBova - Province of Reggio Calabria, Italy - June 2004 CC BY-SA 2.0

Seen as the capital of Greek culture in Calabria, Bova keeps the old Griko language alive in its lanes, high on the eastern slope of Aspromonte at 915 metres. Its founders came up from the coast to escape raids from the sea; a ruined Norman castle on the summit now gives wide views. At Byzantine Easter, olive branches are woven into life-size human figures and carried through the streets.

Highlights

The ruined Norman castle, with views and the 'lovers' grotto' passage
Byzantine Easter, with life-size figures woven from olive branches
Paleariza, a summer festival of the music and dance of Greek Calabria
The FS 740 steam locomotive at the entrance, honouring Bova's railwaymen
The Sentiero della civiltà contadina, showing old millstones and farm tools

Text adapted from Wikipedia (Bova (Italia), Bova, Calabria), Wikivoyage (Bova (Italia)). Available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Population: 416

Things to see

Co-Cathedral of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IT)

Events through the year

Carnevale grecanico Seasonal · Carnival
Pasqua bizantina Religious · Easter seasonLife-size figures woven from olive branches carried round the village
Feast of Saint Leo Religious · 5 May
Paleariza Music and arts · July to AugustMusic and dance of Greek Calabria, with the ballu di lu camiddhu
Bovarché Music and arts · AugustVisual arts, literature and poetry
Feast of the Assumption, Saint Leo and Saint Roch Religious · 15 to 17 AugustDraws many emigrants back to Bova for the summer
Grecanico Language Day Music and arts · 11 November
Living nativity scene Seasonal · 26 December

Dates follow the traditional patterns in our sources: check locally before you travel.

Adapted from Wikipedia (Bova (Italia)), Wikivoyage (Bova (Italia)). Available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Specialities of Calabria

Typical of the region rather than of this village.

Alice WiegandNduja mit Brot CC BY-SA 4.0
'NdujaCured meatVery spicy spreadable pork sauce, good on crostini
Giuseppe CuccoSoppressata di Decollatura CC BY-SA 2.0
Soppressata calabrese (IT)Cured meat
Pasta ca muddica e aliciDishSpaghetti with anchovies, oil and toasted breadcrumbs
Popo le ChienFileja CC0
FilejaBread and pastaHomemade pasta shaped round a knitting iron, with goat or pork ragù
Pasta 'ncasciataDishPasta with meat ragù, eggs and cheese, baked between fried aubergines
GioiaBellissimoStruncatura CC BY-SA 4.0
StroncaturaBread and pasta