The lira calabrese is one of the most distinctive traditional instruments of Southern Italy, known also for its long and varied cultural history. As its name says, the lira calabrese comes from Calabria, the rugged region forming the “toe” of Italy’s boot, and is very connected with the region’s folk music and storytelling traditions.

After having fallen into obscurity for decades, this traditional instrument has been experiencing a significant revival in more recent times, thanks to its peculiar, almost hunting sound. The lira belongs to the broader family of Byzantine lyres, a group of stringed instruments that spread across southeastern Europe and the Mediterranean during the time of the Byzantine Empire.