The history of Calabria is influenced by the region having been part of the mighty Magna Graecia and later the Roman Empire.
In places like Stilo remains are also found from the period when the Byzantines ruled this part of Italy.
The Normans had their headquarters on Sicily and they too left many monuments in Calabria. The German King and Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II also left his mark on the region.
For many years the Spaniards dominated Calabria, which is evident from the special Aragonese style of building.