Montebello Jonico

The seaside village of Saline Joniche is a favourite destination for tourists seeking a natural oasis just a stone's throw from the sea. Founded in the 19th century as Borgo di Rocca Calojero (now Borgata Rocca), between the 1970s and 1980s, the current salt pans became an industrial port serving the Major Repair Workshop and the State Railways. The remains of that project, which never really took off, are now one of the most interesting industrial archaeology sites in the province. Around the abandoned complex, nature has reclaimed its space, forming the brackish basin of the Salt Pans: an ideal habitat for various species of migratory and resident birds, recognised as a Site of Community Interest (SCI). There are three interesting churches in the marina: the Church of SS. Salvatore, the Church of S. Maria del Carmine and, in the Borgata hamlet, the 19th-century Church of the Rosary of Pompeii.

The historic centre of Montebello Jonico, upstream, is a fine example of medieval urban planning: characterised by narrow streets, stairways and monumental views, it retains a refined taste and boasts several prestigious buildings. Among these, we recommend visiting the numerous churches, especially the Arcipretale Protopapale, which houses precious works of art and still hosts the Greek-Byzantine rite; the adjacent Baronial Palace; the ruins of the ancient Castle and the Shrine of the Annunciation. There are many traces of rural buildings to discover on excursions in the surroundings of Montebello Jonico, starting with the ancient mill, passing through the hamlet of Fossato, rich in chapels, noble buildings and natural caves, including the famous Lamia Cave.