Altafiumara Cultural Hub

Altafiumara Resort inaugurates a new era for cultural tourism in Calabria, with a special focus on the province of Reggio Calabria and the Costa Viola. The ambitious initiative “Altafiumara Cultural Hub,” under the guidance of the Chiringuito group, aims to enhance the artistic, historical, and food and wine heritage through a territorial promotion strategy that respects and celebrates local identity. Thanks to a series of satellite projects, Altafiumara establishes itself as a center for authentic experiences that showcase the very best of Calabria, blending art, culture, and taste.

A Vision for Calabria’s Cultural Revival
The “Altafiumara Cultural Hub” project was launched in 2022 by the Chiringuito group, led by the Bevacqua and Battaglia families. Their objective is clear: to turn Altafiumara into a symbol of cultural promotion that brings together artists, local authorities, and associations, making the resort a benchmark for cultural tourism. Backed by a solid entrepreneurial approach and a great vision for the region, Altafiumara Resort creates strategic synergies to position the province of Reggio Calabria and the wider region as a cultural destination of excellence, extending visitor stays and fostering deseasonalized tourism.

The first satellite project of the Cultural Hub is the Altafiumara ArtExperience, which intertwines contemporary art with Calabria's millennia-old history, created in collaboration with Artistic Director Elisabetta Marcianò and the Liberarchè cultural association. This cultural journey saw the inauguration of the Gianni Versace Art Hall, located inside the Castle, the historical heart of the resort.

Originally built as a Bourbon fortress in 1734 under the name of Forte di Santa Trada, the Castle served as a strategic outpost for defense against maritime raids in the Strait of Messina. Following the earthquake of 1783, Joachim Murat ordered its renovation in 1811, turning it into one of the main defensive batteries on the Calabrian coast.
Today, thanks to a careful restoration, the Castle has been transformed into one of Calabria's most prestigious cultural hubs, featuring a permanent exhibition dedicated to the famous fashion designer Gianni Versace, curated by Maestro Natino Chirico, an internationally renowned artist from Reggio Calabria.

An integral part of the Altafiumara ArtExperience is the Artists' Park (Parco degli Artisti), an initiative that turns the resort's gardens into an open-air art gallery. The first installed works include "The Warrior's Scream" (L'Urlo del Guerriero) by Cosimo Allera and "Cubic Harmony: Exploration of Volumes" (Armonia Cubica: Esplorazione dei Volumi) by Fabio Santori. The Artists' Park aims to host up to 20 sculptures, creating a cultural path immersed in nature that celebrates the talent of local and national artists, promoting a Calabria that beautifully combines tradition and modernity.

Art finds a unique form of expression at the table as well, thanks to Executive Chef Antonio Battaglia and his Art Dinners (Cene d’Arte). Each dinner will be a multi-sensory experience where every course becomes a work of art inspired by the region's signature ingredients. Chef Battaglia celebrates the authentic flavors of the area, blending tradition and innovation through dishes crafted with local products such as the bergamot of Reggio Calabria, swordfish from the Strait, local extra virgin olive oil, Tropea onion, and chili pepper.

These ingredients, symbols of Calabrian identity, are creatively reinterpreted to offer diners a gastronomic journey that tells the story of the region through intense and genuine flavors.

With the Tour Experience project, Altafiumara Resort is creating a tailor-made product for every traveler profile, offering the chance to experience the province of Reggio Calabria and the Strait Area in its truest essence. The project is designed to satisfy the interests of anyone wishing to explore the region: from cultural and nature-loving travelers to those seeking sports and adventurous experiences. Through a meticulous selection process, Altafiumara has mapped out the territory of the Costa Viola and Aspromonte, offering a wide variety of activities that highlight the extraordinary biodiversity, millennia-old history, and local traditions.

The proposed experiences unfold along 220 kilometers of coastline, with over 100 kilometers of beaten trails for exploration on foot or by mountain bike, passing through more than 200 points of interest, including historic villages, archaeological sites, and breathtaking landscapes. With excursions ranging from trekking along the nature trails of Aspromonte to guided tours in the villages of Scilla, Gerace, and Pentedattilo, every experience tells a unique story of the land.

For those seeking an immersion into the authentic flavors of the region, the Tour Experience offers visits to local wineries and traditional oil mills, where guests can taste typical products such as Palizzi wine or Greco di Bianco, traditional cured meats, and extra virgin olive oil. Food and wine lovers can also take part in cooking classes, learning the recipes of Calabrian cuisine, famous for its intense and genuine flavors. Thanks to the support of shuttle services and informative materials, Altafiumara makes exploration even more accessible, allowing visitors to discover an uncharted world. The variety and customization of these offerings ensure that every traveler can find their perfect experience: from water sports on the Costa Viola to cultural tours in historic cities, all the way to rural experiences in the lands of Aspromonte. Altafiumara aims to create authentic and unforgettable moments that reveal all the beauty and richness of Calabria, welcoming every guest on a tailor-made journey to discover a land that is still waiting to be fully explored.

The most anticipated novelty of the Altafiumara Cultural Hub is the Enoteca Culturale (Cultural Wine Cellar), which will be inaugurated on December 17th inside the rooms of the Castle's former powder magazine. The Enoteca will be a space entirely dedicated to Calabrian wines, featuring a wine vault and a tasting room that will offer a journey to discover the region's finest grape varieties, including Greco di Bianco, Nerello Mascalese, Zibibbo, and Gaglioppo.

Also equipped with a mixology corner, the Enoteca will serve as a meeting place for winemakers, sommeliers, and wine lovers, where visitors can discover the very essence of Calabrian viticulture.

Beyond tastings, the Enoteca Culturale will organize events, training courses, and themed evenings in collaboration with the most prominent industry associations. Each gathering represents an opportunity to deepen one's knowledge of Calabrian wines through a series of dinners featuring presentations on the wines' territories of origin.

Calabria: A Region to Discover
The “Altafiumara Cultural Hub” project is set within a context rich in history and traditions that root back to ancient times. Calabrian viticulture dates back to the first millennium BC, when the region was inhabited by the Bruttii, and Greek colonies led to the birth of a winemaking tradition that has endured through the centuries.

Today, Calabrian vineyards produce wines of great character. Furthermore, Calabria boasts a simple and genuine cuisine featuring signature products such as 'nduja, Tropea onion, extra virgin olive oil, and bergamot—the "prince of citrus fruits" from the province of Reggio Calabria, famous for its essential oil used in perfumery.

With the “Altafiumara Cultural Hub” project, Altafiumara Resort confirms its status not only as a place of hospitality, but as the beating heart of Calabrian culture, in a commitment aimed at relaunching regional identity. Thanks to a solid and passionate entrepreneurial vision, the Chiringuito group and the Altafiumara team guide this project with the desire to involve the territory and its resources in a network of value. The Altafiumara Cultural Hub does not just tell the history of the region; it creates a hub for growth and training for the new generations of professionals. Furthermore, it stands as a benchmark for experiential tourism that values authentic bonds with the land, the culture, and the people who live there.