Calabrian artisan excellence: what to seek and where tradition thrives

Within Calabria’s artisanal landscape, the ceramics of Seminara and Squillace stand out: Seminara is renowned for its vividly coloured apotropaic masks, while Squillace is celebrated for plates, jugs, and decorative pine cones inspired by the nearby sea. Traditional textiles, featuring silk, wool, and linen, are equally significant. In Catanzaro and the San Floro area, age-old practices of silkworm cultivation, spinning, and natural dyeing have been revived by cooperatives, museums, and workshops, resulting in exquisite handcrafted shawls, scarves, and furnishing fabrics. The artistry of Aspromonte shepherds is evident in intricately carved wood, briar pipes, musical instruments, wicker and straw baskets, wrought ironwork, and jewellery that reinterprets Greek and Byzantine motifs. Collectively, these crafts define the unique identity of Calabrian artisan tradition.

For those seeking authentic ceramics, Seminara, accessible from the Costa Viola, and Squillace, situated on the Ionian coast, are essential destinations. Their historic workshops offer unique, often signed pieces, distinguished by irregular glazes and subtle variations that bear witness to genuine craftsmanship. Textile enthusiasts will find Catanzaro, San Floro, and various inland villages particularly rewarding, where traditional looms are still in use, and one can purchase shawls, stoles, and silk fabrics directly from the artisans. Along both the Ionian and Tyrrhenian coasts, the historic centres’ boutique shops in Tropea, Reggio Calabria, and Gerace sell loom-woven tablecloths, intricate embroidery, and items blending silk, cotton, and plant fibres. An ideal itinerary combines days by the sea with immersive visits to workshops, local museums, and indulgent regional spas, allowing travellers to pair each purchase with a genuine taste of Calabria.

To fully immerse yourself in Calabrian craftsmanship while enjoying the sea as your vantage point, VOIhotels’ resorts in Calabria provide an exceptional base. The VOI Floriana Resort, set amid approximately 13 hectares of floral gardens and overlooking the Ionian Sea in Simeri Crichi, grants easy access to Catanzaro, Squillace, and the principal ceramic and textile hubs of the Ionian coast. The resort features a private beach, expansive green spaces, and amenities tailored to both families and couples. On the Tyrrhenian side, VOI Le Muse Essentia Resort is nestled directly on the sea near Tropea, along the Costa degli Dei, and is surrounded by Mediterranean parkland, an ideal setting for discovering workshops and ateliers from Zambrone to Tropea and the Vibo Valentia hinterland. Here, a resort stay becomes the gateway to a cultural journey that elegantly links the coastline, villages, and the most authentic expressions of Calabrian craftsmanship.