Greek presence in
Italy begins with the migrations of the old
Greek Diaspora in the 8th century BC, continuing down to the present time. There is a linguistic minority known as the
Griko people, who live in the
Southern Italian regions of
Calabria (
Province of Reggio Calabria) and
Apulia, especially the peninsula of
Salento, within the old
Magna Graecia region, who speak a distinctive dialect of Greek called
Griko. They are believed to be remnants of the ancient and medieval Greek communities, who have lived in the south of Italy for centuries. Alongside this group, a smaller number of more recent
migrants from Greece lives in Italy, forming an expatriate community in the country. Today many Greeks in Southern Italy follow Italian customs and culture.