From a historical viewpoint, the area is characterized by some ancient settlements that are important for their urban, architectural and cultural values. Among these are Squillace (still known for its production of historically traditional ceramics), Guardavalle and Santa Caterina (of which units and highly valuable architectural complexes can still be seen), and Stilo (centre of Byzantine origin, of great importance in the regional context. There are also numerous signs of the Greek and Roman civilisations left in the area. Among them, are the significant (and for many aspects still to be discovered) Skylletion (Scolacium) in Roccelletta di Borgia and Kaulon in Monasterace Marina. The architecture related to the ancient iron work in the area of Bivongi, Pazzano, Stilo and Cardinale is unique. There is substantial material evidence of an activity that reached high quality and considerable levels in the last centuries in the remains of factories, mines and blast furnaces.

Secrets of wine production are rooted in the tradition, the climate and the quality of the chosen grapes. The wine of Bivogni (which got the award of Controlled Origin Denomination from the European Union in 1996) is produced on the eastern side of the Serre range, in the low valley of the Stilaro stream close to the towns of Bivongi, Caulonia, Monasterace, Riace and Stilo as well as in Guardavalle, cradle areas of ancient Kaulon. As for the red wine, the Bivongi is made with the grape varieties Gallioppo, Greco Nero, Nero d’Avola, Castiglione and other blackberry species of vine. As for the white, it is composed by blending the grape varieties Greco Bianco and/or Guardavalle, Malvasia Bianca and/or Ansonica and other species of vine of the white berry region.

The Calabrian Serre are a mountainous and hilly area of Calabria where much wood can be found. The name may originate either from the Hebrew “Ser” (mountains), or from the fact that the Serre range resembles a saw tooth in its particular alignment; in fact, it is composed of two long, parallel groups of mountainous and hilly reliefs. The Alta Locride is the inland region of the Locride area in the province of Reggio Calabria, but at the same time, it overlooks to the Ionian Sea including its most southern towns.