Oppido Mamertina: the Mella archaeological park and the Aspromonte
At the foot of the Aspromonte, in the hinterland of the Gioia Tauro plain, Oppido Mamertina is a town of very ancient origins, heir to the ancient Mamertion recorded by Greek and Roman sources. Its territory holds one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in Calabria: the Mella archaeological park, where the remains of a settlement of the Tauriani have come to light.
A short distance away stands Oppido Vecchia, the medieval town abandoned after the devastating earthquake of 1783 and today an evocative expanse of ruins among castle, walls and cathedral. An ancient bishopric and a gateway to the Aspromonte National Park, Oppido is the ideal destination for those seeking history, archaeology and nature far from the crowds.
The Mella archaeological park and the ancient Mamertion
In the territory of Oppido Mamertina, in the Mella district, excavations begun in the 1980s have brought to light the remains of an extensive settlement attributed to the Tauriani and identified with the ancient Mamertion recorded by Strabo. Over an area of about ten hectares, walls have emerged, a paved street more than five metres wide with its water conduit, coins – especially of the Mamertini –, pottery and stamped roof tiles, datable between the 4th and 2nd centuries BC. The town’s very name recalls Mamertus and the Mamertines, a people of Campanian origin who settled in these lands: a chapter of Magna Graecia and Italic history still largely waiting to be revealed.
Oppido Vecchia and the 1783 earthquake
About two kilometres from the present town, on a rocky spur between deep ravines, lie the ruins of Oppido Vecchia, the medieval city that flourished in the Byzantine and Norman ages. The terrible earthquake of 1783 – remembered as “the scourge” – razed it to the ground, forcing the survivors to rebuild the settlement further down in the Tuba plain. Today, among the vegetation, you can still make out the town gates, long stretches of walls, the remains of the castle and of the cathedral with its bell tower: a silent, evocative place, perfect for a walk through history.
How to get to Oppido Mamertina
Oppido Mamertina lies in the hilly hinterland between the Gioia Tauro plain and the Aspromonte. By car it is reached from the A2 “del Mediterraneo” motorway (Gioia Tauro or Rosarno exits), continuing inland along the roads that climb towards the massif. The most convenient railway station is Gioia Tauro on the Tyrrhenian line, from where you continue by car in about half an hour. The nearest airports are Reggio Calabria and Lamezia Terme. Its position makes Oppido an ideal base for exploring the villages of the Aspromonte and reaching the sea of the Costa Viola on a day trip.
Where to stay: holiday homes between Oppido Mamertina and the Aspromonte
Staying in Oppido Mamertina means immersing yourself in the most authentic Calabria, among archaeology, villages and the woods of the Aspromonte National Park. A holiday home lets you experience the area at your own pace: mornings among the ruins of Oppido Vecchia and the Mella park, hikes in the Aspromonte and days by the sea on the Costa Viola, less than an hour away. Our options range from one-bedroom flats for couples to apartments for families, in quiet, well-connected areas. Check availability and send us a direct request: we will help you find the ideal home to discover this surprising part of Calabria.