Benestare: Gypsum Houses, Churches and Cunfrunta

Benestare between hillside settlement and history

Benestare is a hillside settlement in the Locride area. The small houses are arranged on several levels in a layout reminiscent of a horseshoe. The first settlement core of Benestare emerged between the 17th and 18th centuries when farmers settled there to cultivate the land. A hillside settlement is a settlement whose buildings are spread across sloping terrain and several elevations. The historic centre of Benestare is called Timpa; its characteristic houses were built exclusively from gypsum, a mineral found abundantly in the municipal area.

The Chiesa Matrice di Santa Maria della Misericordia is commonly known as Chiesa del Rosario and stands in Piazza Matrice, in the oldest part of Benestare. The Chiesa di San Giuseppe dates back to the 16th century and is considered the oldest building in Benestare still preserved today. The Chiesa di San Giuseppe houses a wooden statue of Saint Joseph. The Confraternita di San Giuseppe e Sant'Antonio was founded in 1845 and is based in the Chiesa di San Giuseppe.

Churches, traditions and events

The Teatro Comunale “Chjesia nova” was created by renovating an old religious building. Cunfrunta is an Easter tradition passed down in Benestare for centuries, during which Mary announces the Resurrection of Christ. During the Cunfrunta, Saint John, who comes from the Timpa area, and the Madonna, who reaches the square via Via Roma, meet in Piazza Ariaporu. Anyone who wishes to participate may take part in the Cunfrunta.

Landscape and surroundings

Colle di Verraro is known for its centuries-old oak forests. At 553 metres above sea level, Monte Canalo is the highest peak in Benestare. The term above sea level describes the elevation of a peak in relation to the sea surface. The Catoja area is a green space whose use and maintenance serve public enjoyment and the preservation of the local natural heritage.

The area around Benestare is home to the Casino Macrí palace, the ancient Sanctuary of Persephone site (santuario della Mannella), the Museo Nazionale di Locri and the ancient Soprintendenza Archeologica Della Calabria site. The beaches Spiaggia di Bovalino, Spiaggia di Ardore, Spiaggia di Bianco and Spiaggia Locri are also located around Benestare.

The cultural association Catoja in Festa APS is committed to promoting, protecting and enhancing Benestare’s historic gypsum houses. Catoja in Festa offers an experience programme with tastings, exhibitions, workshops, as well as musical and theatrical performances. Two free evenings of the music event “Voices & Music in Love” were scheduled to take place at the Teatro Comunale “Chjesia nova” on 6 and 11 July 2026.

Further local pages for orientation: Piraino, Gambarie, Acquacalda, Sant'alessio In Aspromonte

For the higher-level travel overview: Reggio Calabria.