Evidence of Italo-Greek Culture

Of the 5 sites listed for consideration, I have only managed to go to one of them, Gerace. I found Gerace to be a charming and interesting southern Italian hilltop village (it's actually on the list of the most beautiful villages in Italy). It has an interesting history, having at various points, been occupied by Romans, Moors, Greeks, Normans and Byzantines, all of whom have left their mark on the village.
It was astounding to read that this small community once boasted 123 churches! Even today there are 17, a disproportionate number for the size of the village. The star of the show is the Norman Cathedral, the biggest building in the region (sadly undergoing restoration while I was there). It also has the oldest Greek Orthodox church in Italy in a charming little square known as the three churches square,
There's a terrace running around the village that overlooks Locri and the Ionian sea with a former monastery (now a priory) behind you.
The narrow cobbled streets and rustic houses are a joy to wander around.
For such a charming village that is on the UNESCO Tentative list, I was surprised by the lack of tourists. I guess the resorts that attract the tourists in Calabria, are just a bit too far.
I spotted a small supermarket, a bank, half a dozens bars and cafe's and a smattering of restaurants, none of them seemingly busy. At 2 everything closed for a Siesta anyway.
I would say, on balance, it …