July 23 - The Italy Innovation Center delegation visited the ancient city of Gerace in Calabria, southern Italy, holding talks with Mayor Rudi Lizzi. Dubbed the "Open-Air Museum of Southern Italy", this historic city - with its well-preserved medieval architecture and profound cultural heritage - has emerged as a new focal point for China-Italy cultural tourism cooperation.

Gerace: The Millennium-Old Jewel of Mediterranean Civilization

Gerace is situated in Italy's Calabria region, within the Province of Reggio Calabria, perched 500 meters above sea level on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea—a geographically privileged location. Founded during the Byzantine era, the city retains its complete medieval urban layout. Its name derives from the Greek "ierax" (meaning "eagle"), symbolizing the city's majestic presence, like an eagle surveying its domain from the mountain summit.

The historic center boasts over 20 medieval churches, with Gerace Cathedral standing as one of southern Italy's oldest Norman architectural masterpieces. The renowned Gerace Castle ruins, having witnessed the rise and fall of Byzantine, Norman, and Aragonese dynasties, are inscribed on UNESCO's Tentative World Heritage List. Renaissance-era noble palaces line the streets, while cobblestone alleys exude an aura of antiquity, solidifying Gerace's status among the Mediterranean's most distinctive cultural destinations.

Focus on Cultural Heritage Preservation and Tourism Development

The discussions focused on deepening cooperation in tourism and culture, with particular emphasis on heritage conservation and cultural tourism route development. Mr. Xu Shunwu, President of the Italy Innovation Center, highlighted China's innovative approaches in ancient architecture restoration and living heritage preservation.

Mayor Rudi Lizzi of Gerace stated: "Gerace possesses priceless cultural heritage, but we require more advanced conservation technologies and more effective presentation methods. China's experience has been highly enlightening, especially in balancing preservation with development."

China-Italy Cultural Tourism Cooperation Holds Vast Prospects

Following the meeting, the Italy Innovation Center actively facilitated arrangements, formally inviting Mayor Rudi Lizzi to visit China at an opportune time to observe firsthand China's cultural tourism achievements and advance bilateral cooperation from consensus to concrete implementation.

Held during the 55th anniversary of China-Italy diplomatic relations and the 750th anniversary of Marco Polo's journey to China, these talks have injected fresh momentum into subnational collaboration between the two countries.

Data from Italy's Ministry of Cultural Tourism reveals a 65% year-on-year growth in Chinese visitors during the first half of 2024, underscoring immense market potential. As an emerging cultural destination, Gerace is well-positioned to access Asian markets through partnership with China.

With the gradual implementation of the talks' outcomes, this long-dormant medieval Italian town is poised to rejuvenate with renewed vitality, offering Chinese travelers an authentic new gateway to experience Europe's historical and cultural heritage.