As evidenced by the above Greek place names, Bova Marina is one of the places where the Greek–Calabrian dialect is still spoken, a remnant of the ancient Greek colonization of Magna Graecia (South Italy and Sicily).
Main sights
In 1983, during excavations for roadwork, the ruins of the Bova Marina Synagogue were discovered. This is the second oldest confirmed site of a synagogue in Italy, the oldest being the ancient synagogue of Ostia Antica near Rome. Parts of the ancient mosaic floor are still intact, which display ancient Jewish symbols, such as the menorah and Solomon's knot.
The building consisted of two square rooms, the first serving as a vestibule. The mosaic floor has a border with a motif of leaves and fruits and contains sixteen squares with geometric designs (the rosette and the so-called "Solomon's knot"), which leave room for the symbols of the menorah (in the centre), of 'ethrog (the cedar) and the palm branch (right) and the shofar (left).[3]
