Vibonese

<< Calabria

The Vibonese is the territory of the Province of Vibo Valentia, located in Calabria between the mountains and the Tyrrhenian Sea. This area is known for hosting the Coast of the Gods (Costa degli Dei), a beautiful coastline with several popular seaside resorts, most notably Tropea. Other interesting attractions are also located more inland.

Vibo Valentia

Vibo Valentia is a city located on the hills near the Tyrrhenian Sea in Calabria. This was once the site of the Greek colony of Hipponion, founded around the 7th century BCE. Hipponion was a wealthy city, but later declined and was conquered by the Romans, taking the name Vibo Valentia. The city was almost completely abandoned after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, and the new town was established in the 13th century as Monteleone. After centuries as a small town, it was renamed Vibo Valentia in 1928, and became the capital of its own province in 1992.

Norman-Swabian Castle

The Norman-Swabian Castle (Castello Normanno-Svevo) is a medieval castle in Vibo Valentia. The castle was erected in the Late Middle Ages and was later reworked and used as a prison. Now it hosts the Vito Capialbi State Archaeological Museum (Museo Archeologico Statale Vito Capialbi), which houses numerous archaeological findings unearthed around the city and dating mostly from the Greek and Roman era.

Archaeological Park of Hipponion-Valentia

The Archaeological Park of Hipponion-Valentia (Parco Archeologico di Hipponion-Valentia) houses some ruins of the ancient Greek colony of Hipponion. Among these are some sections of defensive walls, and a few ruins of a temple.

Pizzo

Pizzo is a town located on the Tyrrhenian Sea just north of Vibo Valentia. The town emerged as a fishing village in the Late Middle Ages, and it is best known for being the birthplace of the tartufo, a kind of dessert.

Pizzo Castle

Also known as: Murat Castle (Castello Murat)

The Pizzo Castle is castle located on a cliff overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea in Pizzo. Erected during the Late Middle Ages and later expanded, the castle is known for being the place where Joachim Murat, King of Naples during the Napoleonic era, was imprisoned and executed. The castle now hosts a museum of local history.

Church of Piedigrotta

The Church of Piedigrotta (Chiesetta di Piedigrotta) is a small church carved in the rock along the coast north of Pizzo. Founded in the 17th century and later expanded, the church houses numerous statues made in the 19th and 20th century.

Tropea

Tropea is a small town and seaside resort located on the Tyrrhenian Sea at the center of the Coast of the Gods in the Province of Vibo Valentia. A city of ancient origins, it is known for its beautiful old town, located on a cliff overlooking the sea.

✪ Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola

The Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola (Santuario di Santa Maria dell’Isola) is a historic religious site located on top of a large rock on the sea. Founded in the Early Middle Ages as a monastery, it was later reworked several times. Due to its peculiar position, it is one of the most iconic sights in Calabria, and it offers a great view on the surrounding coast.

Tropea Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of Maria Santissima di Romania (Cattedrale di Maria Santissima di Romania)

The Tropea Cathedral (Duomo di Tropea) is a medieval church in the old town of Tropea. Erected by the Normans in the 12th century, it was later reworked in Baroque style. The church is known for hosting a 14th-century Byzantine painting of the Virgin Mary. A small museum of religious art is located next to the church.

Beaches of Tropea

Tropea is one of the most popular seaside resorts in Calabria, and features various beaches with white sand and clear waters. Among these, the most famous is the Spiaggia della Rotonda, which extends east of the rock of the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola, and just below the cliff where the old town of Tropea sits.

Serra San Bruno

Serra San Bruno is a town located among the mountains in the Province of Vibo Valentia. The town is famous for hosting a large charterhouse, and it developed around it in the Late Middle Ages.

Serra San Bruno Charterhouse

The Serra San Bruno Charterhouse (Certosa di Serra San Bruno) is a large Carthusian monastery founded in the 11th century among the mountains of Calabria. The complex was later expanded and reworked a few times, and now it features various artworks and a museum.