Ferruzzano Superiore, the ghost town carved into the rock

Among the "ghost towns" in the province of Reggio Calabria, Ferruzzano Superiore (or Ferruzzano Vecchio, Ferruzzano Paese) is a little gem to be visited on tiptoe, respecting the silence and memories that surround it.

Nestled in the so-called Valley of the Armenians, Ferruzzano Antico is the abandoned hamlet of the current municipality of Ferruzzano, a significant testimony to the eastern past of this territory.

Adjacent to the village of Saccuti, also abandoned, Ferruzzano Superiore offers wonderful views, all waiting to be discovered!

Reaching the "ghost town" of Ferruzzano Vecchio and strolling through its abandoned streets is an experience from another era, for true enthusiasts of "slow" trips. The village, returned to the wild nature that surrounds it, stands on the hill behind Ferruzzano and can be considered a film set in all respects (it is no coincidence that several films for cinema and television have been shot here). Among the dirt alleys and what remains of the stone houses, the feeling you get is that of a magical time: everything in Ferruzzano Antico contributes to creating an atmosphere of suspension that the most romantic travellers will appreciate.

Built around the second half of the 15th century, the historic centre of Ferruzzano Superiore, like many other villages in the Calabrian hinterland, owes its hilltop location to the continuous incursions of Saracen pirates in the sea. However, its definitive abandonment was caused by the numerous earthquakes that struck these areas over the centuries, particularly those of 1783 and 1907, which had a significant impact on the fate of the village. The village of Saccuti was founded at this time, halfway between the coast and Ferruzzano Antico, which was also abandoned and is well worth a visit. Even today, in summer, the hamlet of Saccuti in Ferruzzano Vecchio is a meeting place for many emigrants returning to Calabria.

Enchanting from a landscape point of view, the view from Ferruzzano Superiore stretches across the Ionian coast, which includes the Costa dei Gelsomini Regional Marine Park, or the Greek area where the ancient Greek of Calabria is spoken, between Capo Bruzzano and Punta di Spropoli. Nature lovers can set off from the historic centre of Ferruzzano Vecchio to explore the foothills of Aspromonte, the hilly area with its characteristic wine presses (around 160 registered and restored) and a series of unmissable locations surrounded by greenery.

Among the places not to be missed in the surroundings of Ferruzzano is undoubtedly the Rudina Forest. A diverse forest, composed of holm oaks and Turkey oaks, which covers a vast area (about 177 hectares) at an altitude between 200 and 400 metres above sea level, along the riverbed of the Fiumara La Verde. The Rudina Forest in Ferruzzano is a quiet corner and meeting place for the community and tourists, as it is freely accessible and not far from the town. The Rudina Forest is crossed by numerous crystal-clear springs, such as the Zagaria spring. Rocca Carruso, a peculiar rocky agglomeration and the perfect destination for hikers and geology enthusiasts, is also relatively close by.