Lungo la costa tirrenica della Calabria, in provincia di Vibo Valentia, si trova Tropea, una località nota per il suo mare e le sue spiagge. Tropea si erge in alto lungo la costa di Briatico ed è risultato vincitore anche dei “borghi dei borghi”. La costa di Tropea è ricca di insenature e calette, oltre a grotte semisommerse.
Accoglie un turismo raffinato e amante delle belle spiagge e del mare cristallino. Tuttavia Tropea nasconde anche molto altro a partire dal suo centro storico passando per le sue leccornie come la famosa “cipolla rossa di Tropea” con caratteristiche lunghe e dal sapore dolce.
1 Historic center of Tropea
The town of Tropea is a succession of streets and alleys and its historic center is a place you definitely must explore. You can take advantage of a few hours to delve into the heart of the Calabrian city which features architecture with distinctive Arab and Norman signs but also with Baroque influences. To visit the historic center of Tropea, it is advisable to park in piazza Vittorio Veneto and then enter Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the street where most of the shops and bars are located. From here you can follow the various alleys that open up until you reach the Cathedral dating back to the 1100s with a more recent porch (circa 1300). On the Duomo square there are three interesting buildings: palazzo D’Aquino, palazzo Zinnato, and palazzo Barone. In piazza d’Ercole, along the main street, is the tourist office of the Calabrian town.
2 Port of Tropea
At the end of the course, in Migliarese square, you can enjoy the view of the port and the sandy beaches on both sides. From here you can see the Eolie Islands which you can also reach with a boat rental in Tropea, in the small harbor that has 600 berths and is located at the foot of the cliff.
3 Beaches of Tropea
It is no doubt that the Tyrrhenian Calabrian town is mainly known for its beaches and crystal-clear sea. Along the Coast of the Gods, of which Tropea is a part, there are bays, caves, descents, and stunning viewpoints. The sea of Tropea presents shades sometimes blue, sometimes green, and sometimes turquoise. A variety of colors that enhances the view of anyone looking out over this place. The beaches of Tropea are all accessible via stairs and descents starting from different points of the town: Cathedral, Convent, Borough District, and Largo Galluppi. Among the most beautiful and well-known beaches of Tropea are:
- Rotonda Beach, outlined by the San Leonardo rock;
- Linguata Beach;
- Convent Beach also known as Marina dell’Isola;
- Cannone Beach;
- Occhiale Beach;
- Isola Bella Beach;
- Passo Cavalieri Beach;
- Palombaro Cave.
5 Beaches around Tropea
- The beaches of Parghelia (Michelino, La Grazia, etc.) 2 km from Tropea;
- The bay of Riaci, Petri du Mulino beach and Scalèa, 2 Km from Tropea;
- The beaches of Zambrone (Paradiso del Sud, lungomare), 5 km from Tropea;
- The beach of Formicoli 4 km from Tropea;
- The beach of Torre Marino 7 km from Tropea;
- Praia i Focu beach at Capo Vaticano, 9 Km from Tropea;
- Tono beach at Capo Vaticano, 9 Km from Tropea;
- The bay Grotticelle at Capo Vaticano, 10 km from Tropea;
- The bay Santa Maria at Capo Vaticano, 10 km from Tropea.
6 Cathedral of Tropea
The Cathedral of Tropea is dedicated to Maria Santissima di Romania. It dates back to the Norman era, although it has been repeatedly altered and restored in more recent times, particularly after the devastating earthquake of 1783. The apse section was rebuilt. It features three naves and several valuable works such as the Madonna del Popolo, a statue from 1555 made by Fra’ Agnolo da Montorsoli (right apse), or the Byzantine image (14th century) of the Madonna of Romania, protector of the city, framed in silver and placed on the main apse. In the left apse, there is the Madonna of Freedom, a votive offering from the city for the failed sale to the Ruffo princes.
7 Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola
The Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola stands on the eponymous hill that borders the sea. It was originally a Benedictine monastery. The sanctuary has undergone numerous transformations over time, particularly the portico, later walled up to expand the nave, and the upper floor to accommodate the monks. The staircase connecting the sanctuary was built around 1810. The façade was rebuilt after the 1905 earthquake. The sanctuary’s evocative location makes this place very popular.
8 Diocesan Museum of Tropea
The main body of works exhibited at the Diocesan Museum of Tropea comes from the Cathedral and covers a chronological range from the 14th century to the 19th century. Among the oldest testimonies is the 15th-century pastoral staff in gilded silver and enamels and a 16th-century icon depicting the Mother of Consolation. The museum also houses a rich art gallery made up of a group of 18th-century works of Neapolitan culture and a significant collection of sacred silverware intended for celebration and devotion. Of particular value is the sculpture made in silver and in the round and full-figure depicting St. Domenica (1738), a work by the Neapolitan Francesco Avellino.
9 Calabria Museum of Ancient Trades
The Calabria Museum of Ancient Trades features a curious collection of moving figurines that depict ancient trades, complemented by photographic documentation of various artisanal activities. Over 80 animated figurines, both men and women, as they might have been in the early 1900s, engaged in working the fields, milk, wool, weaving, and artisanal jobs (potter, shoemaker, blacksmith, farrier, and stonemason). There is also a section Exhibition of Science and Technology, where numerous pieces related to the most important inventions and discoveries that contributed to the technical and scientific progress of the last century are present, such as: telefax, television, telegraph, refrigerator, sewing machine, and others.
10 What to Eat and Where to Sleep in Tropea
When it comes to cuisine, Calabria is rich in ingredients and delicious dishes. Tropea, moreover, has the advantage of being known for its sweet onion, red in color and elongated in shape. The Tropea onion has very ancient origins and is now found in the foods of various Italian dishes. A Tropea onion omelette or a salad with fresh onion are some of the many ways to enjoy it. Being a seaside town, the cuisine of Tropea borrows from the Calabrian coastal cuisine based on fish and enriched with chili pepper.
Tropea offers a wide range of hotels and extra-hotel accommodations. From resorts, B&Bs, holiday homes to guesthouses and hotels. In short, there is an embarrassment of choice. It is only a matter of budget and tastes.
