About Dasà
Greek Origins
Dasà is a small, Italian village nestled amongst the hills above Calabria's beautiful "Coast of the Gods." The history of the town goes back to ancient Greek settlers who came to this fertile land in order to grow olives and grapes. These enterprising adventurers named the place they found "Dásos Eliés," which roughly means "The Wooded Place." Some of the olive trees the Greek settlers planted, thousands of years ago, still stand in the groves which surround Dasà!
Much of the culture heritage of Dasà is owed to the Greeks who first found this place. Some of the food, such as the local "maccarruna" pasta, is thought to have Greek origins.
Perhaps the greatest legacy the ancient Greeks left to the people of Dasà was their extraordinary sense of hospitality toward guests. As they say in Dasà, a guest is akin to a god!
The Lay of the Land
Visitors to Dasà will find a stunning amount of natural beauty condensed into a very small valley. The hills which ring the town provide breathtaking hikes and views—you might even stumble upon the ruins of a Norman castle!
The rolling lowlands beneath Dasà are home to small farms with grazing livestock, fruit trees, vineyards and ancient olive groves. Nearly everything the villagers eat and cook with is produced right here, within eyesight of the town.
A river cuts its way through the central valley. In the raging spring months, the sound of its waterfalls echoes through town. It was the force of this river which kept the medieval mill (functional up until just a few decades ago!) turning and the people of Dasà fed.
What has always made Dasà special is the very thing which has made it difficult for visitors to appreciate: its separation from the rest of the world. Here, traditions of the past remain alive and well while they fade and perish elsewhere. From ancient food to traditional cultural practices, Dasà has a lot to offer those who come to experience it. The only problem is... how can they?
Our mission is enable visitors to come and see Dasà in a way they've never been able to. It's difficult to be a tourist in a town where there are no hotels or restaurants! That's why we welcome guests, not tourists. With rustic bed & breakfast accommodations and meals shared family-style, when you visit Dasà you will experience it as a local, not as a stranger.
Benvenuti a Dasà!
