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Gerace lies on a sea-fossil hill, 470 m above sea level.
Its position is really enchanting because it lies between
the seacoast and mountains, country side.
The origin of its name is Greek “IERAX” (sparrow hawk) but
it is also believed it may be a Byzantine name
“Aghiakiriaki” (St. Cyryac).
The most ancient archeological findings date back to the
middle neolit age (5000 years b. C.).
In the tenth century b. C., the village was inhabited by
native people, the “Sicilians” who left interesting remains
in a rich necropolis.
The place continued being inhabited even when, at the end of
the 8th century b. C., the Greeks, coming from Locres
Opunzia, founded the town of Locri Epizephiri.
During the Roman Empire, Gerace became a garrison, and as it
increased in stature and size it became a city of nobility,
this rock became a garison, got more and became a country,
marquisate and in 16th century, a principality.
Following the end main town of the district. That lasted
till the end of the last century when, because of logistic
requirements, Gerace Marina, now called Locri, was founded
at time most are important public
 offices were moved to the
new town on the seacoast.
Today, Gerace is a charming town, welcome lots of tourist
and scholars from all over the world, where an international
festival, cultural events and folk festivals are arranged.
An exquisite cathedral, which dates back to the 11 th
century, the Byzanthine church of St. Giovanni Crisostomo,
St. Francesco of Assisi and lots of baroque churches (around
20), its palaces and caste are the evidence of its greatness. |
