The Archaeological Park of the Tauriani at Taureana di Palmi
A few kilometres from the centre of Palmi, on the Taureana promontory overlooking the Costa Viola, lies the Archaeological Park of the Tauriani: here stood Tauriana, the ancient town of the Tauriani, a people of pre-Roman Calabria that reached its height in the Greek and Roman ages.
Among olive trees and Mediterranean scrub survive the remains of a Roman paved road, of ancient dwellings with mosaics, of necropolises and of the early-Christian area linked to San Fantino. It is an intimate and evocative site, where archaeology and sea views blend together: a perfect stop for anyone wishing to discover the most ancient history of Palmi.
Ancient Tauriana and the Roman road
Tauriana was an important centre of the Tauriani and later a Roman town, set in a strategic position by the sea and along the roads that crossed ancient Bruttium. Among the most striking remains in the park is the stretch of Roman paved road, with its great stone slabs still in place, which lets you imagine the carts and travellers passing here two thousand years ago. Around it lay dwellings, workshops and places of worship: to walk here is to tread, quite literally, in the footsteps of ancient Calabria.
What to see: mosaics, necropolises and the sacred area
The park preserves the traces of the daily and spiritual life of ancient Tauriana: the so-called House of the Mosaic, with its decorated floors; the necropolises that document funerary rites; and the early-Christian sacred area over which the church of San Fantino, with its famous crypt, was built. Finds and potsherds tell of centuries of history, from the Bronze Age to the Greco-Roman world and on to the first centuries of Christianity. Panels and pathways help you read the site, set among greenery and overlooking the sea: a small open-air museum.
How to get to the Park of the Tauriani
The Archaeological Park of the Tauriani is at Taureana, a district of Palmi overlooking the Costa Viola, a few minutes by car from the town centre. By car it is easily reached from the A2 “del Mediterraneo” motorway, exit Palmi, continuing towards the Taureana coast. Palmi railway station is the handiest reference for those arriving by train; the nearest airports are Lamezia Terme and Reggio Calabria. It is best to wear comfortable shoes and bring water: the site is visited outdoors and offers glimpses of the sea. It pairs easily with the crypt of San Fantino, which is part of the same area.
Where to stay: holiday homes in Palmi and Taureana
Want to combine history, nature and sea? Staying between Palmi and Taureana puts you a stone’s throw from the Park of the Tauriani, the Costa Viola beaches and the centre of Palmi. A holiday home offers you your own space, an independent kitchen and the freedom to plan your days between archaeological sites, sea and villages. Our options range from one-bedroom flats for couples to apartments for families and groups, many with sea views or surrounded by greenery. Check availability and send us a direct request: together we will find the right home for your holiday in Calabria.