In 1714 southern Italy became once more property of the Austrian Habsburgs who remained until 1734 , when they were replaced by the Bourbons of Spain . Reggio was the capital of Calabria Ulteriore Prima from 1759 to 1860 . In 1783 , a disastrous earthquake damaged Reggio , all southern Calabria and Messina
earthquake
1783 Calabrian earthquakes
Reggio Calabria