Riace

For the statues, see Riace bronzes.
Riace
Comune
Comune di Riace

Coat of arms
Riace

Location of Riace in Italy

Coordinates: 38°25′N 16°29′E / 38.417°N 16.483°E
Country Italy
Region Calabria
Province Reggio Calabria (RC)
Government
  Mayor Domenico Lucano
Area
  Total 16.1 km2 (6.2 sq mi)
Population (December 2007)[1]
  Total 1,754
  Density 110/km2 (280/sq mi)
Demonym Riacesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 89040
Dialing code 0964
Patron saint Saints Cosmas and Damian
Santi Cosma and Damiano's fiest (2010)

Riace is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 50 kilometres (31 mi) south of Catanzaro and about 80 kilometres (50 mi) northeast of Reggio Calabria. Riace borders the municipalities of Camini and Stignano.

It is especially famous as the site in which, in 1972, the Bronzi di Riace (Riace bronzes), Greek bronze statues of warriors (now in the Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia in Reggio Calabria) were found in the sea.

It has also reached worldwide attention through its innovative approach to dealing with refugees, about 200 of whom have settled there among the 1700 inhabitants, revitalising the village and preventing the closure of the village school.[2] The mayor, Domenico Lucano, came second runner-up in the 2010 World Mayor competition. (The winner was the Mayor of Mexico City, which has about nine million citizens.)[3]

References

  1. All demographics and other statistics from the Italian statistical institute (Istat)
  2. "Italian mayor saves his village by welcoming refugees" By Lucy Ash, BBC News
  3. World Mayor 2010 results

See also