Maiera, Calabria

Maiera Calabria - Cedri Riviera Tours and Vacations with Italy Vacation Specialists

Explore the Cities and Towns of Calabria

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Over 20 years of crafting exceptional journeys across Maiera

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Overview

Maiera is situated in a precarious position overlooking a gorge 360 meters above the Mediterranean sea, overshadowed by its neighbor Grisolia. The towns seem to be magnificently separated almost in mid air and its an incredible site to behold, like nothing we have ever seen in all of Italy.  It is quite the site to behold, though Maiera is not just a 'pretty face' so to speak. The town is home to the national Peperoncino Museum .  Pepperocino is a delcious, hot, spicy red-pepper which the Calabrese put on everything in this region!  It's said to be the 'Viagra of the south".  

The museum showcases the history of the chili pepper (which were brought by the Spanish fleet lead by Christopher Columbus - back to Europe from South America in the 1600's).  Because of Spanish conquest throughout Europe at that time and because of optimal growing conditions in Southern Italy, the Spanish brought the peppers to Calabria, where numerous varieties were cultivated and incorporated into local cullinary traditions.

The town musem has over 56 types of peppers grown throughout Italy on display as well as numerous works of art, recipes and alcoholic beverages to accompany samples. 

In addition to hot peppers, Maierà boasts artistic flavour throughout its narrow streets.  As in another Calabrian town, Diamante, numerous murals have been painted on the town's walls.  Ceramic art is positioned in unusal corners creating unexpected bursts of colour throughout the town. 

The main street, which you will find when you park your car, lead,s like all others in Maiera (3 streets in total), to Piazza Ducale.  A small pedestrian tunnel steers guests into the stairwell leading up to the Peperoncino museum.    

During the summer months at night time visitors can sample the numerous varieties of Peperoncino the museum has on display and can cool down during a tasting session with a cold beer, local wine, or water for that matter. 

The museum also has cooking courses available to those interested, techniques and recipes which make Calabrese cooking so unique.  The courses are offered to Italian speakers on a more or less continuous basis, and the owners are more than willing to offer some courses in English if there are enough takers.

Please visit the museum's website at: www.peperoncino.org 

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