Gambarie – an Oasis in the Heart of Calabria

Located in the municipality of Santo Stefano in Aspromonte, in the province of Reggio Calabria, it stands out as one of the most popular tourist destinations both in summer and in winter.

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The History of Gambarie and the Aspromonte National Park

Situated in the heart of the Aspromonte National Park, Gambarie was founded around the 1920s by woodcutters and shepherds. Between the 1930s and 1960s, the first holiday facilities, the ski slope, and the chairlift were built. The park, in which it is included, is one of the most beautiful places in Calabria, characterized by a rich flora and fauna to admire, trails to explore, and several enchanting spots and villages where one can immerse themselves in local traditions.

Maesano Waterfalls in the Aspromonte Park in Calabria

Monuments and Places of Interest in Gambarie

Although it is a small town, Gambarie offers numerous points of interest such as:

• The little Church of the Sacred Heart, a mid-19th century building opening onto a small square.
• The fountain, created in 2003 by architect Gianluca Adami and artist Corrado Sassi, located in the center of Piazza Mangeruca. On its glass slabs is engraved a text from the Aspromonte Charter, visible only through sunlight. On top of it stands a glass structure that creates the illusion of a mountain, particularly striking in winter when, due to the cold, countless tiny stalactites form.
• The Garibaldi Memorial Stone (Cippo di Garibaldi), an almost mandatory stop for tourists, where one can see the majestic tree with a large hollow in which Giuseppe Garibaldi’s companions laid him to rest when he was wounded in the leg.

• Mount Scirocco, home to numerous ski slopes and offering an exceptional view that includes Mount Etna and the Aeolian Islands.
• Lake Rumia, inhabited by various species of fish and geese.
• The trails, consisting of numerous paths leading to the Maesano Waterfalls or the Sanctuary of Polsi.

Don’t miss this little wonder of Calabria!