In the center of the beautiful Costa degli Dei “Gods’ coast”, on the Tyrrhenian Sea not far from Vibo Valentia, Tropea is the most famous and popular resort town of Calabria. Many historians attribute the city’s foundation to Scipio Africanus.
After the conquest of Carthage that took place in 209 BC, Scipio Africanus was on his way back to Rome when he arrived in the Cape Vaticano promontory’s neighborhood, where he then ordered the construction of a city that called Tropea.
The town, of medieval structure, is dominated by a number of seventeenth-century palaces. From the main square, along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, you could reach a panoramic balcony from which you can admire the Saint Leonardo’s rock and the small Santa Maria’s island. The old town in Tropea as a particular interest, with the '700 and ‘800’s palaces, perched on the cliff overlooking the sea, with the beautiful white beach below.
Zungri is located 571 meters a.s.l. on the north side of Mount Poro plateau, 21 Km from Vibo Valentia and 16 km from Tropea.
It’s difficult to date its historical origins, the first documented existence of a human settlement is dated 1310 AC.
The “Madonna della Neve” (“Our Lady of the Snows”) church houses a painting of artistic and historical interest: the painting of “Our Lady of the Snows”. The painting was made by a southern painter trained at the school of Raffaello in the sixteenth century. The painter was inspired by the Raffaello work "Little Holy Family" preserved at Louvre, in Paris.
The characteristic centre of the town of Zungri still retains its old buildings, very close to the Basilian caves (Sbariati’s Caves (or stragglers), former rock settlement of the twelfth and thirteenth century inhabited by Basilian monks, give it an important historical testimony. The 39 caves are overlooking the sloping terraces on the "Malopera" river, and it constitute a single complex in Calabria. You can also walk through a scenic route, even to the hillside Zungri’s lake.
Mileto is a municipality in the Vibo Valentia’s province. It was founded by the Asian “milesi” driven out by Dario and gained importance during the time of Roger the Norman, when it became the Region’s capital and episcopal seat. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1783, then completely rebuilt. You must visit the State Museum, where the most precious artifacts found in the archaeological area are collected.
A kilometer south of Mileto lies Paravati, where Natuzza Evolo lived, that became famous throughout Italy for appearances and interviews with Madonna and with Jesus. Her grave is located into "Cuore Immacolato di Maria" foundation.
In the eighth century BC this area was a settlement, and the ancient Rhegion was one of the first Greek colonies in southern Italy.
It’s certainly one of the oldest towns in Europe, and in the third millennium BC it was inhabited by indigenous peoples as the Ausoni and the Itali. Today Reggio is the largest and most populous city in Calabria, rich in history and culture, a city of art. The real wealth of Reggio Calabria is its artistic and cultural heritage formed across an ultra ancient history. Discover the magnificent cathedral dedicated to Saint Lady Maria Assunta and the remains of the Aragonese Castle built around 536 A.D. by the Belisario’s Byzantines, and later remodeled and equipped with powerful towers during the Aragonese period.
Reggio Calabria is a city full of art houses and museums. The most famous is the National Archeological of Ancient Greece, which displays numerous archaeological findings coming from excavations in the entire region, including the famous “Riace Warriors” o “Riace bronzes”, symbol of the city and of the entire region. We also recommend a walk on the beautiful Reggio’s promenade, where you can find several cafes for a drink or a delicious slushy.
The Aeolian Islands, of volcanic origin, are well known as the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean. Thanks to their history and their incredible natural beauty, they represent a magical place to be seen and to spend great and precious time.
