Motta San Giovanni

Motta San Giovanni
Comune di Motta San Giovanni
Chiesa Santa Maria delle Grazie
Location of Motta San Giovanni
Motta San Giovanni
Location of Motta San Giovanni in Italy
Motta San Giovanni
Motta San Giovanni (Calabria)
Coordinates: 38°0′N 15°42′E / 38.000°N 15.700°E / 38.000; 15.700
CountryItaly
RegionCalabria
Metropolitan cityReggio Calabria (RC)
FrazioniLazzaro, Valanidi, Cambareri, Allai
Government
  MayorPaolo Laganà
Area
  Total
46.7 km2 (18.0 sq mi)
Elevation
450 m (1,480 ft)
Population
 (November 2008)
  Total
6,428
  Density140/km2 (360/sq mi)
DemonymMottesi
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
  Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
89065
Dialing code0965
Patron saintSt. John the Evangelist
Saint dayDecember 27
WebsiteOfficial website

Motta San Giovanni is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Reggio Calabria in the Italian region Calabria, located about 130 km (81 mi) southwest of Catanzaro and about 13 km (8.1 mi) southeast of Reggio Calabria. In antiquity it had the Greek toponym Leucopetra (i.e. "white stone").

Motta San Giovanni borders the municipalities of Montebello Ionico and Reggio Calabria.

The most interesting feature of the comune is the Castle of Sant'Aniceto, a notable example of Byzantine-Norman architecture. The Capo dell'Armi Lighthouse is also located in the comune along the clifftops.