In Borgo Croce the color has become a symbol of rebirth, life and joy, to the delight of all.
Borgo Croce: How a town is reborn
A small Calabrian village in the Reggio hinterland is revived thanks to the inventiveness of its 45 inhabitants, who have made it cheerful and, as it is typical to say today, “Instagrammable”. Let's talk about "Croce" a fraction of Muro River At the foot of the Aspromonte Mountains and a twenty-minute drive from the coast. An operation that combines the rebirth of a forgotten, gray, and almost abandoned place with the valorization and pride of the community.
And he saw a colorful redevelopment This has made the small town a focus of curiosity for many, fascinated by the simplicity of the choice and the beauty of the redevelopment project. This is nothing new in Calabria, where small towns have become the emotional canvas of local, national, and international artists. Among these are: Diamond, Laino Borgo, San Pietro di Magisano, San Benedetto Ullano and Petilia Policastro, which have changed their destiny with the murals and installed works.
Murals with iconic phrases born from an idea of a virtuous inhabitant
And so it is becoming for the small town, where, as often understood, emigration has left empty houses, and characterized by that "unfinished" that has become a topic of debate and study in the highest spheres of culture. The idea came from Mariagrazia Chirico, a resident who emigrated for work and who, during the pandemic, thanks to smart working, returned to her hometown and saw firsthand the desolation into which she was suddenly sliding.
And so, together with a group of friends, he decided to create his first mural. It was the summer of 2021. From this first murals others arrived, which she painted in the free time granted by smart working. An operation that was possible thanks to the consent of the inhabitants of the place and which allowed us to begin to color the gray face of the country. Drawings, local proverbs, traditional expressions—everything harks back to the roots of the locals and the history of Aspromonte Calabria.
Large-scale operation
A revolution that even affected the name. Mariagrazia said she was installing the large letters reading "Borgo Croce" on a wall while Google Maps workers were passing by. A coincidence that also led to the town hall changing the name. The emigrants are participating in its rebirth, enthusiastic about this innovation. Along a staircase the lyrics of a song were painted Mino Reitano originally from Fiumara. Borgo Croce has become the most colorful village in the region. Today, it's no longer a sad and desolate place. Among its narrow streets, the voices of tourist children and passionate photographers eager to immortalize the evocative images and colors of the village.
The “Borgo Croce” association was born, which is giving the center a new identity. Not only murals but also numerous furnishings have been designed to welcome visitors. Sofas, cushions, and armchairs, along with vases of fresh flowers, have been placed along the steps leading to the village church. Local products are also being showcased, sold at the refreshment stand created for the occasion. Exhibitions and events are enriching the village, breathing new life into a marginal and almost forgotten area.
(Photo from Borgo Croce Facebook page)
