Reggio Calabria

Reggio Calabria, at the toe of Italy directly across the Strait of Messina, was the staging ground for the Norman invasion of Sicily. Robert Guiscard captured it in 1060, establishing a forward base for his brother Roger's campaigns.

Why it mattered

• Staging ground for Sicilian invasion
• First major mainland conquest near Sicily

Chronology (selected)

• 1060: Robert Guiscard captures Reggio

Hub essays

• Region context: hautevilles southern italy and the shared bibliography.
• Castles and fortification: Norman castles — motte to stone.

On the map

Use Open on map to fly to this pin in the Norman expansion era. Layers are teaching overlays — pair them with charters, excavation reports, and the works above.