A step back in time among the beauty of the Calabrian countryside. Borgo Nocille is a jewel hidden among olive, almond and bergamot trees, where rural architecture has remained intact over time. An authentic experience of relaxation and tranquility, accompanied by the area’s excellent products.
The history and origin of the nom
The history of the small village of Nocille, at least until the early twentieth century, is the story of one of the many small rural towns scattered along the hilly areas of Tyrrhenian and Ionian Calabria. The village's economy revolved around the local production and processing of grapes, bergamots and almonds. Instead, the bakery and store supplied all the neighboring districts. The name "Nocille" originated as a rural toponym and has ancient origins. As early as the Roman period, the area was known by the Latin term "Nucillae," short for Nuces, indicating the presence of walnut trees. The hilly area surrounding Borgo Nocille is sandy, and prehistoric shells and mollusk shells, some even of considerable size, not infrequently resurface.
Discovering Borgo Nocille
Arranged on several levels, the small hamlet has kept mostly intact the typical features of rural architecture of the Calabrian coastal areas: stone buildings, bricks, vaults and arches made of solid bricks still walled in with earth. Nestled among olive, almond, and bergamot trees, Borgo Nocille boasts excellent local products. Arranged among the terraces under the shade of the olive trees, visitors can enjoy the food and wine products of the area, cooked over a wood fire, and in particular ancient traditional recipes that have now been forgotten or disused, but which at the village have been enhanced and continue to be offered to visitors from all over Italy and Europe. The calendar of events offers opportunities for adults and especially for children: educational workshops on animal life and beekeeping, wine production, baking, and the processing of artisanal food and wine products. During summer sunsets and evenings the village hosts literary reviews, cultural and food and wine events, musical performances with artists from all over Italy, storytellers and folk music. In the winter months, particularly impressive is the Living Nativity, set up inside the premises throughout the village, repopulated by local artisans who still keep alive traditional jobs and crafts. Not just figurants in a reenactment, but an opportunity to witness wickerwork, iron, clay and pottery, silkworm and Greek-inspired jewelry making, baking and milk processing. During all months it is possible to do somatic trekking and walk the nature trail from Borgo Nocille along the ancient stone-paved road to the Castle of San Niceto (11th century). Throughout the route, with the help of expert nature guides, it is possible to learn about the typical features of the area and enjoy the view of the Strait of Messina and Mount Etna. In Borgo Nocille, courses in typical Calabrian dances and music are still organized today, in collaboration with musicians, dance masters and instrumentalists who still make ancient instruments of Mediterranean cultures by hand
The Municipality
Palazzo San Giorgio Piazza Italia, 1
tel: 0965 3622111
Typical Calabrian cuisine, contrary to popular belief, è a cuisine of “earth”, based on meats, cured meats, vegetables that follow the seasonalityà and recurrences, processing and techniques typical of tradition, with products of excellence such as bergamot.
Typical food and wine products of the village and the entire area include pork ragù with fresh tomatoes, fennel, and other herbs, cooked exclusively over a wood fire for several hours and served with semolina flour macaroni; pork meatballs; goat sausages and cheeses; stoccafisso “a ghiotta”, a unique and traditional dish from the Reggio Calabria area, that is, soaked stockfish cooked in a stew with plenty of oil, tomato, onion, olives, capers, oregano and potatoes; all bergamot-based preparations, especially the liqueur made by macerating the peels of the well-ripened citrus fruit and the “susumelle” typical sweets glazed with chocolate and flavored with bergamot.
