Bovalino
Bovalino is a comune in the province of Reggio Calabria, in the Calabria region of southern Italy. It lies on the Ionian coast about 90 kilometres southwest of Catanzaro and about 46 kilometres east of Reggio Calabria, combining a coastal modern settlement with an older inland nucleus.
At a glance
- Type
- Comune (municipality)
- Period
- Population 8,406 and area 18.0 km² (as of 31 December 2004)
- Style
- Mediterranean Ionian coastal town
- Location
- Province of Reggio Calabria, Calabria, Italy
Overview
Bovalino is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Reggio Calabria, located about 90 kilometres southwest of Catanzaro and about 46 kilometres east of Reggio Calabria. As of 31 December 2004 it had a population of 8,406 and an area of 18.0 square kilometres. The town faces the Ionian Sea on the southeastern coast of Calabria.
History
Like many towns of the Ionian Calabrian coast, Bovalino developed around an inland historic centre with later expansion toward the sea. The municipality forms part of the Locride district, a stretch of the province of Reggio Calabria with a long history of coastal settlement. The modern coastal sector grew alongside the older nucleus over the course of the twentieth century.
What you see
The comune presents a typical southern-Italian arrangement of a coastal marina town beside an older upper settlement. Its territory of roughly 18 square kilometres runs from the Ionian shoreline inland toward the Calabrian hills. The seafront and town centre are the focus of everyday life and seasonal activity.
Cultural significance
Bovalino belongs to the Locride, a part of Calabria with deep roots in the region’s Greek and medieval heritage. As one of the established comuni of the Ionian coast, it contributes to the cultural landscape of the province of Reggio Calabria.
Practical information
Bovalino is an open coastal town; there are no fixed visiting hours. For municipal services and local information, check the official website of the Comune di Bovalino.
Getting there
The town lies on the Ionian coast and is reached by car via the SS106 Jonica state road. It is about 46 kilometres east of Reggio Calabria, whose airport and rail hub are the nearest major transport gateways; the coastal railway line also serves the Locride.