As I said in the previous publication about Gerace, there is much in this amazing city we visit. Conitnuo here with the tour.
To reach coming from Locri Gerace is promoted by the SP1, some 10 km, this road around it and then continue northward. The road leaves us in the southern part of the city, he Borgo. From there it is highly recommended to do the walking tour, so as to better appreciate the architectural richness that the city offers as well as interact with people who are most friendly and its atmosphere is very cozy.
But before continuing our ascent on foot, approach may visit the church of Santa Maria del Mastro which is located in the Republic Square and also near the Palazzo del Balzo and the church St. George, the eighteenth century, the latter is not always open to the public but can be seen from the outside.
A tour option that could be done before penetrate in the medieval city to visit the Cathedral, Castle, its medieval buildings and wealth that the city offers, know the area is also located on the outskirts, in the lower part of town, this depends on the time and set priorities visitors. This route could also be done either subsequent to the visit of the medieval city or in a second day of walk.
To get to the bottom we can descend Via Corregio to the area of the cemetery, which you can visit, and its Church of Santa Francesca Romana, or taking Via Fabio Filzi church meet Santa Maria delle Grazie and the Convent of the Capuchins, dated in 1534, later continuing along Via Veneranda visit Church Monserrato of Byzantine origin. This path is also accompanied by a wonderful landscape in which you breathe serenity. Is a good choice also know the area outside.
Returning to town, Now if we go to this Medieval city itself. Going up Via Duomo we will find the Church Santa Maria del Carmine, founded between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries with a single nave, in the twentieth century, the aisles are added. Inside wood image of San Francisco de Paul in the seventeenth century and the Virgen del Carmen. Close to this church House Marvasi, which it is a medieval building on two levels. On the top and center of the facade a fantastic mullioned window with columns with capitals in white marble.
Continuing the way either Via del Duomo or if we come by Via Roma we got to Belvedere Bomarde a fantastic terrace where we can stop to enjoy the scenery and take energy to continue the visit. To the left the San Giacomo Hospital, Today private building.
Now we can resume our way up. While Gerace is a city to roam freely and discover, It is appropriate to indicate some outstanding and buildings worth visiting. Including Church of San Martino, in restoration process started in 2015 and to which we can reach by continuing Via Domenico Migliaccio before traversing the Sun Gate. The Church of San Martin was rebuilt after earthquake 1783. Late Baroque Neoclassical facade with a bell tower and interior nave. While your data is not accurate, arguably Byzantine origin according to a necropolis in the vicinity.
These photographs were taken in 2006, currently the Church of San Martino has been restored. Soon be posting some photos of finished work.
Turning towards the Belvedere we find the Sun Gate the SXVI, on Via Cándida, cross it after a few meters ahead and on the left is the Convent and Church of Santa Anna.
Continuing along the same street arrive at the Plaza del Tocco, open meeting and exchange space, where we find several old palaces around and make this square, as the Grimaldi Palace, Tocco's Palace and Galluzo Palacios, Calceopilo, Contestable y Migliaccio. Via Sottoprefettura works today on the Municipality of Gerace (the common). really worth stopping here and enjoy the atmosphere of this beautiful city.
They work in these beautiful buildings Shops, Administrative office, Mail and some bars and “Pasticheria” where we can enjoy typical local products.
continuing on Via del Tocco we will find the Church of San Teodoro or Nunziatella and beside the Palazo Scaglione.
We left the Plaza del Tocco Via Zaleuco that flanked by rich and beautiful fronts and portals leads to the Plaza Tribuna.
At this square we find before us the Catedral de Gerace, Cathedral of the Assumption. The Cathedral is, along with what was the Castle, one of the most remarkable buildings of the city. Beside the call Arch Bishops and in front of it and forming one side of the square stands the Palace Arcano.
The Cathedral was erected partly on the rock and partly on a Greek cross crypt could be the eighth century. The eastern part of the crypt has three naves with columns that could come from Roman buildings in neighboring areas, three ships allow the relationship of this Byzantine structure with several previously inhabited caves. Behind Grottoes Chapel of the Virgin decorated with white marble on black background is, placing on the altar to the Virgin of Prestarona.
With respect to the Cathedral it is difficult to state with certainty data, It has been several times and at different times intervened.
It basilica de corte , It consists of three ships with columns and two pilasters in the form of T. The apse is located east while access is from the west.
The route along the main aisle leads to seclusion and may notice the solemnity of the religious space accompanied by lights and shadows. The transept is accessed through three arches, the highest support worthy elliptical dome to appreciate.
On the south side of the transept you can see the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament.
In addition cathedral ceremony held
s rel
IGI part, numerous concerts at different times of the year. In addition to the Cathedral you can visit the Diocesan Museum.
If we have not made a stop along the way, Tribune plaza is a good place to replenish energy or just sit and enjoy the place and time sipping delicious coffee or some typical sweet that here too we find.
Leaving Square and Tribuna Via Caduti sul Lavoro, find the Sacred Heart Church, destroyed in the earthquake 1783 and then rebuilt. The façade in Baroque style and decorated inside with Old Testament.
Meters later continuing along the same street we arrive at the Plaza of the Three Churches (Plaza of the Three Churches).
under
re one of the sides of the square, Greek Orthodox Church is located San Giovannello, the tenth century, considered the oldest Orthodox church in Italy.
It is a small building in stone and brick nave, architectural structure that has retained since its origen.Solicitando a visit, you can access inside to discover traces of frescoes on its walls.
Facing San Giovannello, is the Church of St. Francis of Assisi and the Convent, which is where the work Environmental School of the City of Gerace I facilitate their space for the realization of the Master that I attended, dated in mid or late thirteenth century. An elaborate triple portal arquivolta, on the simple wall facade invites us to enter. It is oriented east-west. It is located on the southern side, the gateway, and it relates look that way to the civic and religious center of the city and the cathedral. The architectural structure is simple lines, typical of the architecture of the Order of the Franciscans.
The interior of the church devoid of decoration is covered by pissed off and lit by windows on the longitudinal side and on the west which give the lighting in each area of the church its own characteristics and the way in which the light enters underlines the spiritual meaning that breathes inside. It consists basically of two parts, the nave and chancel. Through a magnificent Arco found the altar, choir and presbytery of square plant. On the altar with baroque own characteristics Naples and perhaps in recognition of the contribution of its sovereign to the implementation of complex, decorations include marble motif both landscapes and animals and vegetation could be dated in the seventeenth century.
We leave behind the Piazza delle Tre Chiese and Committing to the fabric of the city to the west for some of its features medieval streets to arrive at Norman Castle which as was mentioned before, It is an important landmark in the city of Gerace. first we come to a very wide space known as the “Baglio” which it was historically a place of refuge for the locals. They can be seen from there, plus incredible panoramic views, the remains of what was probably the Norman castle from the seventh century and the arrival of the Normans around the XI century recovers, fortifies and restores. The castle has also suffered the consequences of the earthquake and various attacks. For your visit it is advisable to contact the authorities in advance.
The area in front of the castle is also a nice place to stop and enjoy the atmosphere, then get back on track and penetrate again in the city.
If we take Via Buonarroti, coasting neighbor to the Cathedral and Episcopal Seminary Museum then internally by the narrow streets, Delfino meet Palacio, on Via Cesare Beccaria that the Renaissance time, It has mullioned windows in stone white and black worthy of being appreciated.
Gerace is an architecturally rich archaeological city and Monuments, Iglesias, Plazas, Palacios as well as on its own path. A city to discover and enjoy every one of its corners, streets and buildings some of which I have here described as porpuesta visit and tour. A journey that, Of course, visitors can vary at will because every little street, building, church, palacio, facade, attract our attention and suggest maybe modify our way.
To be 500 meters above sea level air is cooler than Locri, located on the coast. Take this into account and to enjoy!
To visit in Gerace:
1.- Church of Monserrato
2.- Iglesia de Santa Marie delle Grazie y Convento de los Capuchinos
3.- Cementerio e Iglesia de Santa Francesca Romana
4.- Iglesia de Santa María del Mastro
5.- Palacio del Balzo
6.- Iglesia de San Giorgio
7.- Church Santa Maria del Carmine
8.- House Marvasi
9.- Bel vedere Bombarde
10.- Church of San Martino
11.- Sun Gate
12.- Palacio Gratteri
13.- Iglesia y Convento de Santa Anna
14.- Plaza del Toco
15.- Palacio Calceopilo
- Palacio Contestabile
- Palacio Migliacio
18.- Palacio del Tocco
19.- Palacio Grimaldi
20.- Iglesia de San Teodoro – Nunziatella
21.- Palacio Scaglione
22.- Palacio Galluzzo
23.- Palacio Cándida
24.- Palacio Arcano
25.- Plaza Tribuna
26.- Catedral de Gerace
27.- Arco dei Vescovi
28.- Viejo Seminario
29.- Sacred Heart Church
30.- Plaza de las Tres Iglesias – Delle Tre Chiese
31.- Iglesia Greco – Ortodoxa de San Giovanello
32.- Church of San Francisco
33.- Convento de San Francisco
34.- Cárcel Borbónica
35.- Puerta del Cofino
36.- Plaza del Baglio
37.- Norman Castle
38.- Seminario
- Episcopado
40.- Palacio Capo Greco
41.- Palacio Delfino – Ventanas Bíforas
42.- Iglesia de San Nicola del Confino
43.- Museo Diocesano
Creo que merece la pena subir a Gerace. Todavia hay mucho mas para descubrir. En la proxima publicacion intentare desde las fotografias realizar un recorrido por sus magicas callecitas.