Wandering through the whitewashed alleys of Strongoli, it’s impossible not to be enchanted. Every corner tells a story from the past while breathing new life. At the heart of this revival is Strongoli Borgo Petelia, an albergo diffuso that is part of a wider historic center regeneration project, nurtured for over a decade by Neaitos, in collaboration with the local community.
We spoke with Mattia, the manager of this innovative accommodation, part of Strongoli’s downtown renaissance. Here’s what he shared with us:
How did Strongoli Borgo Petelia come to life?
The revitalization of Strongoli’s historic center is a cornerstone of the extensive territorial regeneration project that Neaitos has been carrying out for over ten years in partnership with local residents.
Neaitos is a design company and research spin-off from the University of Perugia, founded in September 2007 by former Urban Planning students and their professor after three years of studying the Calabrian Ionian coast through the European research initiative “Territorial Information System Calabria.” The company’s mission is to collaborate with local communities and administrations to foster socio-economic growth while highlighting the extraordinary environmental, agricultural, and historical heritage of Strongoli.
Eco-friendly initiatives and community support
Creating an albergo diffuso is a smart strategy to combat the decline of small villages – particularly in Southern Italy – while bringing renewed confidence and entrepreneurial energy to a territory that might otherwise face abandonment.
The restored homes become part of the village’s economic life, breathing new energy into the community. Putting them back on the market funds further restoration, creating a virtuous circle that preserves heritage and generates new reasons to stay. Every returning resident and arriving guest becomes a part of this evolving project.
What do guests love most?
Guests are immediately drawn to the homes, which preserve traditional uses and features. Stepping inside, they are captivated by the whitewashed walls that frame authentic furnishings of the Calabrian peasant tradition, sourced from the original houses or antique markets, perfectly blended with custom-designed elements that highlight the historic charm.
The interiors are meticulously curated, integrated with technical installations designed for both aesthetic and structural needs, while also emphasizing energy efficiency and environmental responsibility: hidden electrical wiring and plumbing, freestanding sinks and showers, radiant panels, thermo fireplaces, and heat pumps.
Green routes and unmissable experiences
The surrounding landscape unfolds into golden wheat hills, lush vineyards, and steep olive groves.
The Neto River flows below, lined with gravel banks and oleanders, opening into a legendary lagoon at its mouth, once a refuge for the Trojan exiles who founded the city.
Inland, blue mountain ranges mark the beginning of endless forests, streams, and the lakes of the Sila. Fifteen kilometers of pristine beach, fringed with pinewoods and Mediterranean scrub protected by the European Community, host migratory birds and rare wildlife along a cobalt sea.
History has left many traces, many still waiting to be discovered. Across from Strongoli, on a twin plateau, lies an entire unexcavated city shrouded in mystery, occasionally yielding coins, jewelry, and delicate sculptures. In the historic center, column fragments dot the streets, and artifacts surface across the plateau and surrounding fields.
In this sun-drenched and fertile land, cultivated continuously since ancient times, olive oils, wines, meats, and cheeses reach a genuine, understated excellence.
Echoes of ancient civilizations, past glories, and bygone hardships resonate in the singular and proud character of the inhabitants, reflected in their language, customs, behaviors, songs, and rituals.
What does being part of Ecobnb mean to you?
Being part of a community like Ecobnb allows us to engage in a project that goes beyond Calabria, promoting global sustainable tourism. Supporting conscious travel and responsible activities makes us custodians of the future.
Strongoli Borgo Petelia invites you to experience the revival of a village. Here you can breathe in the most authentic Calabria and feel the connection between past and present.
