The Bourbon Legacy in the Calabrian Woods
The Residenza di Caccia dei Borbone stands as a quiet testament to the Bourbon kings’ passion for the chase. Built in the mid-1700s as a remote retreat for the court of Naples, the lodge once hosted elaborate hunting parties amid the oak and chestnut forests of the Serre. Today only stone walls, vaulted cellars, and scattered foundations remain, slowly reclaimed by moss and wild cyclamen.
What to See on Site
Follow the short interpretive path that circles the main courtyard. Look for the surviving arched doorways of the stables and the long, low wall that once supported the royal apartments. A few carved Bourbon crests are still legible on fallen lintels. Beyond the ruins, the surrounding woodland offers easy trails where deer and wild boar still roam.
Getting There and Practical Access
The site lies between the villages of Stignano and Bivongi in Reggio Calabria province. From the SS106 coastal road, take the winding SP95 uphill for about 25 minutes; the final stretch is a gravel track suitable for ordinary cars in dry weather. There is no formal entrance gate or ticket office; visitors simply park in the small clearing and walk the last 200 metres.
Best Time to Visit
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) bring comfortable temperatures and blooming or colourful foliage. Summer heat and winter mud can make the paths slippery, so sturdy footwear is essential year-round.
Nearby Attractions Worth Combining
After your visit, continue to the dramatic Cascata del Marmarico waterfall or the Byzantine-Norman ruins at Stilo, both less than 30 minutes away by car. The medieval village of Gerace and the Greek walls of Locri Epizefiri also lie within an easy day’s drive.
