The Cittadella is the oldest quarter of Gioia Tauro, centred on the church of Sant'Antonio and surrounded by a cluster of baroque buildings with ornate stone portals that date from the 18th century. The narrow lanes here contrast with the more modern grid of the lower town, and the neighbourhood has the unhurried quality typical of a historic Italian centro.
The church of Sant'Antonio is the neighbourhood's main landmark, a compact baroque structure with a decorated facade. Walking through the Cittadella is straightforward — the quarter is small enough to cover in half an hour — and the best of the stone portals, carved with the armorial devices and decorative motifs of the local gentry who built these palazzi, are well-preserved. The Monday morning street market on Viale Don Sturzo is a good reason to time a visit to the start of the week.