Grisolia, Calabria

Explore the Cities and Towns of Calabria

Overview

Grisolia is one of the most spectacular towns in the region of Calabria, close to the coast and popular towns like Scalea and Diamante, it is definitely worth a visit and walk around.

The town's people of the town of Grisolia like to debate the origins of the town's name. Some say, it comes from the Greek word "Chrousolea", while others insist it comes from the Spanish word "Chrisena". In either case, the word means "gold", which used to abound in the valley below, and attracted the area's fair share of warring armies.

Then, as now, Grisolia overlooks the immense and mineral-rich valley from a precipitous height, offering stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area, and the coastal towns that sprinkle the banks of the Mediterranean in either direction.

During the last 30 years, in the valleys below Grisolia, historians have uncovered coins and other artefacts, such as burial cases, that date back to pre-Roman tribal groups such as the Enotrians, Brutians and Lucanians.

The location and composition of the coins, which are believed to date to at least 1300, BC suggest to archaeologists, anthropologists and historians, that Grisolia played a very important military and economic role among the first Italic tribes in the area during Pre-Roman times.

Its position as a major town is due to the fact that Grisolia occupies an historically strategic position on the hem of high cliffs more than 450 meters above the sea.

As difficult as it must have been for an attacking army to overtake it, the town, like others in Calabria, has been occupied at one time or another by Greeks, Romans, Barbarians, Spanish, Normans, Byzantines, Albanians, and Turks, all of whom have left their mark on local culture, language, food and architecture.

The village of Grisolia has a distinctively medieval feel, with small doorways and stairwells sized to fit the inhabitants, with alleys and streets that unexpectedly converge making the town a stone labyrinth. A lack of government money - which is spent more lavishly on the tourist-thronged coastal towns - ensures that the town will retain its rustic and weathered look for some time to come.

Wandering around the village a visitor will be struck by the Norman castle at the height of the town, with an ancient church behind, reminding everyone through the ages, who was in charge.

Poor though it may be, Grisolia is worth a visit, to see its gravity defying houses carved into the golden cliffs, the women who carry most everything on their heads, and to soak up the long and rich history that is embedded in every brick and stone.

Gallery

Location

Private and Small Group Tours

Multi-Day Holidays Tours

Hotel

Villas

Apartment

Gallery

Private Driving Services Calabria Region Italy

Our Featured Properties

Beach Front Enormous Penthouse Apartment in Southern Italy

Villa Vecchia

Quick Enquiry Form

Explore Towns and Cities in Calabria

Search Your Tour

Incredible Experiences in Italy for Exceptional Prices

Private Tour of Volterra and Her Incredible Landscapes including San Gimignano

Client Testimonials

Dear Guiseppe and Jesse, We just returned from our most wonderful vacation to Italy and wanted to first thank you for putting together such a wonderful trip, and second to provide some feedback for the future. Hotels 1. Hotel Sovestro in San Gimignano was wonderful. The staff were very friendly and helpful and made the first portion of our journey very stress free. They made us feel like we wer ... [Read More]
- Ron and Deb Crosby
In September of 2018 I brought a group of 12 from Venice to Sicily and organized all of my services with the Italy Vacation Specialists. Being a travel agent and in the business, I know how complicated organizing travel arrangements can be in Italy and the IVS team took a huge burden off of me! I would like to start of by saying "THANK YOU" both for the amazing job you did on our trip. There was n ... [Read More]
- Ann Brownell, KHM Travel Group
In August 2018, my family of four and myself travelled from Vancouver, BC to Rome Italy and spent 3 weeks touring Italy with IVS. This company had come highly recommended by many friends and associates of ours who had used them before and indeed to say they do an outstanding job is an understatement. You can tell while being in Italy that it is one complicated place to run tours in, just by the ... [Read More]
- Vijaya Sunil CPA, CGA
As a travel agent, but also a traveler to Italy, thee is no other company I would recommend than the Italy Vacation Specialists. Not only do they really care about what they are doing, they also really know Italy and try to educate many people about ways they can best see the country and not fall into tourist traps. I have been on 4 trips with the IVS team, firstly when they did my first 2 tri ... [Read More]
- Laura Chomiak, Travel Agent
The trip was great we appreciate all the hard work you and your team invested to make our experience a once in a lifetime trip. We appreciate all the attention to the details in particular Giuseppe spending the time and the focus with us on the road and as we were exploring your great country. ... [Read More]
- Leon and Michele
Jesse & Giuseppe,Sandy and I have been looking through my slides of our trip to Southern Italy. We had such a good time with you and Giuseppe that we wanted to let you know again. You were the best guides ever. ... [Read More]
- Bob & Sandy
I am a travel agent with All About Honeymoons and I would highly recommend Italy Vacation Specialists. Jessica was wonderful in helping us plan in a last minute anniversary vacation during high season without any issues. She even checked on our clients while on vacation to make sure things were going well. I plan on using them again soon for all my future bookings! ... [Read More]
- Tammy Joyce, All About Honeymoons
I went to high school with the owner of the company who organized my honeymoon for myself and my now wife from Tokyo. We spent three short weeks seeing Piedmont and experiencing wine paradise there, then heading to Nice in France with our private driver and flying to Rome where honestly 4 days is NOT enough. They keep saying to spend more time and we could not agree more! You need to spend more ti ... [Read More]
- Robin and Kumi Bruun, Tokyo Japan
Jesse, There are no words to describe the fabulous time we had in Italy. Everything went as you promised. Absolutely no problems! The venues were fabulous. The guides were punctual and helpful. It couldn't have worked out better. You and your staff deserve high praise for the quality and efficiency of your work. BTW, Guiseppe was an absolute delight. We enjoyed his informative and effervescent per ... [Read More]
- Jo Ann West
We're home now from the most amazing trip to Italy! I can't thank you enough for your efforts and coordination of what was without question the finest vacations I've been on to date. ... [Read More]
- Carol Carson