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Where the land meets the sea

Historical-cultural-artistic itinerary

Tropea

Where the land and the sea meet, Tropea rises: it is an evocative place, full of mystery and magic, that you cannot help but fall in love with.

Located in the heart of the famous Coast of the Gods, in Calabria, it has a unique structure: the upper part, located on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea, is the one where the main daily activities take place. The lower part, close to a crystal-clear sea that earned the town the famous blue flag, is called marina and is the seat of the port of Tropea.

Its origins fall between myth and legend: its foundation is attributed to none other than Hercules, on his return from the Strait of Gibraltar. In accordance with tradition, the demigod baptised the town as Portercole, in his own honour, or as Tropea in honour of his nurse, Juno. It is therefore no coincidence that in the surrounding areas there are a large number of tombs of Magno-Greek origin.
The entire area, as already mentioned, is known as the Coast of the Gods, and has been famous since ancient times for its scenic beauty – so much so that even the deities, so enamoured with its incredible atmospheres, chose these places as their home.

In Tropea, you will have the opportunity to walk along beaches with white sand, admire the jagged rocks that play hide and seek among the marine foam and discover several hidden coves. Explore the area’s coves, little gems suspended between land and sea immersed in unspoiled nature, where the silence is broken only by the splash of the waves and the slight whisper of the wind.

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Discovering the heart of the…Sanctuary of the Island of…The Cathedral of Mary Most…Pizzo Calabro Zambrone Nicotera

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Discovering the heart of the city

Tropea

A tourist centre of excellence, Tropea is part of the “Most beautiful villages in Italy” association – created with the aim of helping to safeguard and preserve the most evocative Italian municipalities.

If you are looking for a place to start visiting what is called the “Pearl of the Tyrrhenian”, what we recommend is to start right in its historical centre. A real labyrinth of charming alleys, narrow streets and majestic noble palaces, all interspersed with breathtaking landscapes that suddenly open up before your eyes thanks to the presence of various panoramic terraces (such as Largo Migliarese, Largo Galluppi and Largo Villetta) that are present in the town.
Rest for a moment and let the blue sapphire of the sky find its natural companion in the clear waters of the sea, in a continuous chase that has been going on for centuries.

Walking through its historical centre, you will also have the opportunity to come across small artisan shops, run by experts in the making of fabrics and the creation of iron and terracotta objects. You can buy natural ingredients that are strictly zero-mile in the area's small shops, supplied directly by the local farmers, and venture along its characteristic streets flanked by luxurious stone houses. As you wander around, you can admire ancient palaces that are easily recognisable thanks to the noble coats of arms that are still present on many of the facades, all built between 1700 and 1800, and stumble upon a large number of churches - among the many, we recommend visiting the church of Saint Francis of Assisi and that of Santa Maria della Neve.

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Sanctuary of the Island of Santa Maria

Tropea

Renowned for being among the most famous places of worship in the entire area and also known as Isola Bella – ‘Beautiful Island’, it was built in one of the most evocative views of the area.
The sanctuary rises on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea, once entirely lapped by the waves.
To get to it nowadays, it is necessary to walk up a staircase carved directly into the rock – a bit steep, perhaps, but we assure you that your efforts will be well rewarded.

The view from the outer square of the sanctuary is exceptional: the eye can wander freely along the horizon, coming to admire the islands of Vulcano, Stromboli and, making the view more intense, even Mount Etna.
Inside the church you will find the sacred family, a trio of statues that, once a year, are carried in procession inside a fishing boat. On 15 August, the procession of the Assumption of Our Lady departs from the sanctuary, composed of a procession of boats that travel in procession through the sea in front of Tropea.

Also worth mentioning is the presence of a museum attached to the sanctuary: an unmissable place to visit for all those who want to discover every secret of this small medieval jewel.

Opening hours:

April - June | September - October → every day, 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
July - August → every day from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
November - December → on weekends from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. During the week, depending on the weather conditions.

There is no entrance fee for the church, while for visits to the garden, panoramic terrace and historical-liturgical route there is an entrance fee of €2.00 for visitors over 6 years of age.

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The Cathedral of Mary Most Holy of Romania and the Diocesan Museum

Tropea

Second only to the Sanctuary of the Island of Santa Maria, it is also known as the Norman Cathedral: built by the Normans, it was built in about 1200 on the ruins of a cemetery of Byzantine origin.

It owes its characteristic yellow colour to the tuff, the material chosen for its creation and also to the various alteration works that it has had to endure over time.

Its full name, however, derives no less than from the protector of Tropea, the Madonna of Romania, of which you can admire a copy on the main facade of the cathedral. The original is kept inside, placed above the main altar.

The history of the icon is, on the other hand, lost in legend: it arrived by sea, on a ship damaged by a storm in the port of Tropea. After repairing the damage to the ship, however, it was not able to restart until the painting, which appeared for several nights in a dream to the Bishop of Tropea, was brought ashore.
The Madonna of Romania had fallen in love with the beauty of the city, to the point of choosing to become its protector and perform miracles in favour of its inhabitants.

The Diocesan Civic Museum, inaugurated in 2004, is right in front of the cathedral and preserves several works, as well as ancient pieces from several churches in Tropea.
It is an interesting place to visit for young and old visitors alike, especially for all those who want to admire religious works or be fascinated by ancient marbles and period paintings.

Opening hours of the cathedral:

The cathedral can be visited every day from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with free admission.

Diocesan Museum Hours:

May - June → every day from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
July - August → every day from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
September - October → every day from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
November - December → every day from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
January - March → closed.

There is an entrance fee of €2.00

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Pizzo Calabro

What to see

How could we not tell you about Pizzo Calabro? A perfect tourist destination both in summer and in winter thanks to its mild climate, like Tropea it has origins that blend into legend. Built, according to the myth, by a group of people who escaped the Trojan War, it is a town full of history and attractions not to be missed by history enthusiasts.
We recommend:

Castello di Pizzo
Also known as Castello di Murat, in honour of Gioacchino Murat, king of Naples, who spent his last days in captivity there.
Inside the structure you can admire a real historical reconstruction of the last moments of Murat’s life: from his detention in the cells to his trial, until the writing of his farewell letters.
Church of Piedigrotta
A place of worship of ancient origin, its interiors are carved directly into the tuff rock. It houses several statues, also in tuff, of exquisite workmanship. The ideal time for a visit is in the afternoon, when the sun’s rays slip inside the grotto, lighting up the walls with a thousand different reflections.

Other attractions to absolutely devote a few moments to are the Christopher Columbus promenade, and the Cathedral of San Giorgio Martire – inside which the remains of Giacchino Murat are kept.

Zambrone

What to see

Just 8km away from Tropea, Zambrone is an excellent choice for those who want to explore the province of Vibo Valentia more.

Characterised by a panoramic position, it has breathtaking views and white beaches that alternate between sandy and jagged stretches that are redolent of tropical landscapes.
A town of medieval origin, it is surrounded by vast fields of citrus groves and flower crops – which, in the right season, fill the air with an intoxicating scent.

Also known for being a paradise for divers, thanks to the purity of its coastline, it is ideal for nature lovers and those in search of unspoiled waters, although it reserves some treats for history lovers also.

In fact, we advise you to dedicate some of your time to visit the Church of San Carlo Borromeo, whose structure has remained unchanged since its foundation. Inside, you can be enchanted by the frescoes that were created following the dictates of the Neapolitan school, and by an impressive statue of San Carlo in Trono made of pure white marble.

Nicotera

What to see

A village located on the slopes of Mount Poro, which offers an enchanting view of the Plain of Gioia Tauro and its Gulf – particularly incredible to admire in the orange light of the sunset.

Famous both for its cuisine, characterised by the Tropea red onion variety, as well as for its artistic and cultural offerings, we recommend visiting:

Castello di Ruffo
Built in 1064 by Norman will, the structure has been destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries. To date, its structure has been converted into a museum centre: the large halls on the ground floor house the archaeological museum, while on the first floor it is possible to visit the Centre for the Study and Conservation of the Poro Peasant Civilisation.
Cathedral of Maria Santissima Assunta
It was among the first bishoprics of the Vibo Valentia area, and tradition demanded its creation on the ruins of an ancient pagan temple, originally dedicated to the goddess Diana. Assaulted and looted several times over the centuries, it underwent a series of modifications and extensive restorations until 1759, when a fire destroyed most of the valuable interior furnishings, only to then be razed by an earthquake a few years later. In spite of everything, the church is now completely restored and freely accessible to the public.

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