Riace

Riace is a comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria, in the Calabria region of southern Italy. It lies on the Ionian coast in an area associated with Magna Graecia, featuring coastal plains and green hills.

Riace is best known for the Riace Bronzes, two life-size bronze statues of ancient Greek warriors found in the sea near Riace in 1972. Dated to roughly 460–450 BCE, the figures are regarded as among the finest examples of classical Greek sculpture and are housed in the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria.

In the 2010s Riace attracted international attention for its approach to asylum seekers, with local governance promoting an inclusive policy to house and integrate refugees and migrants. The story contributed to discussions on migration in Italy and Europe and highlighted debates about migrant reception and community integration.

The municipality has a small population and an economy based on agriculture, fishing, and tourism. It preserves historic churches and local traditions and serves as a gateway to nearby natural and archaeological sites along the Calabrian coast.