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CALABRIA charming seaside resort, Pizzo Awas built on a tufo rock cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The town is famous for its A small but very lively city which is full of craftsmanship historical centre, a maze of narrow shops, Pizzo has medieval origins and became famous streets called “vicoletti” and steps throughout the world for its tuna fish and ice-cream connecting the old town to the marina. (Tartufo de Pizzo). Due to the excellent quality of their tuna fish and ice-cream production, Callipo Group has Inside the castle you will find the achieved international acclaim in these fields. Murat Museum which tells the story of the last hours of Joachim Murat, King of , and brother- in-law of Napoleon, who was executed on 13th October, 1815.

Also important are the Cathedral of St. George (seventeenth century) and the Piedigrotta Church, which was carved Distance from the Resort: 10 km into the tufo rock cliff-face overlooking the beach. HOW TO REACH IT Turn right toward SS 18. After 0.7 km turn left onto SS522. Continue 5 km up to Pizzo centre (Piazza della Repubblica). ibo Valentia is one of the most important cities in the VCalabria region. Its origins date back to Greek times. It was originally the Greek colony of Hipponion, founded by inhabitants of Epizeferi (the principal city of the Italian ). The town became a Roman colony in 194 BC with the name of Vibona. During the Middle Ages the city came under the control of the Normans- Suevian, becoming known as Monteleone. Since 1928 the city returned to the original Latin name of Vibo Valentia. Of particular interest is the norman castle with its archaeological museum “Museo Archeologico Statale” and the ruins of its greek walls. Significant also is the Cathedral with its bronze doors (XVII sec.), the church of St. Michael with the bell tower of the Peruzzi (sixteenth century), and the church of Santa Ruba, of Byzantine origin.

In the suburb of Marina there is a natural harbour, important for its commercial-tourist business (formerly known as Porto di Santa Venere), which in summer offers daily boat-trips to the . One of the local festivals is called the Madonna of the Sea, which take Distance from the Resort: 20 km place on the third sunday of August and is famous for its HOW TO REACH IT splendid procession which is held in the port. The sea is Proceed towards th SS18. Then turn right. After 0.9 km turn spotted with innumerable candles and the event ends with left and stay on SS18. After 0.5 km get onto the motorway A3, a colourful fireworks display in which the surrounding sea (direction, Reggio ). After 10.3 km take the exit to St. mirrors the fantastic light show. Onofrio / Vibo Valentia. Turn right and proceed for 5 km until you reach Vibo Valentia. For many people it is considered the “Pearl of the Me- Fditerranean”, and without doubt, the most important tourist resort of the region. The old city is placed on a Tufo rock headland which rises up from the sea and faces onto white broad beaches and a beautiful crystal-clear sea. From the vantage point of the terrace you can admire the Church of Santa Maria dell’ Isola, a famous Calabrian landmark. This church was orignaly a Benedictine convent of me- ormicoli, Capo Vaticano is located to the South dieval origins, rising up from the rock which is upon the Fof where it is possible to admire panora- sea. The rock is joined to the rest of the coast by a narrow mic views of the splendid coves and prominent clif- isthmus. The historical centre boasts a multitude of craft fs. Some of the most beautiful beaches of Calabria are: shops which offer samples of the local craftworks and spe- Baia di Riaci, Baia di Formicoli, Grotticelle and S. cialities, such as the Red Onions of Tropea. The Norman Maria. On one of the headlands which drops sharply to Cathedral is also considered a “must see”. Known as one the sea we find Belvedere at 99 metres above sea level. of the most renowned holiday resorts of the Mediterranean, From this location you can enjoy stunning views of Tropea has also got an excellent harbour. and the Eolian Islands.

Distance from the Resort: 40 km HOW TO REACH IT Proceed towards the SS18. Then turn right. After 0.7 km turn left onto S.S.522. Keep going for 10 km. Afterwards, turn left onto Via Longobardi, S.S. 522 and follow it for 23 kms until you reach Tropea. Museum of Calabria, founded by the Pro Loco Community Centre in 1983, and housed in the Palace of Acti-Amoroso. The exhibitions in the palace are divided into sections: rural art, textile art , terracotta art, woodcraft , iron wor- ks and costume art. The palace serves as a valuable asset for exploring local identities and getting in touch with the past. Do not miss the visit to the Multimedia Meuseum of Calabria on the Serre, equipped with the most up-to- t is a typical agricultural centre of medieval origins. date museography techinques. A walk through the alleys IBuilt on terraces, the highest point reaches 360 metres will allow you to discover the local facts along with the over the sea level. The ruins of the old wall testify to the characteristic street mills. presence of an old city borough, where the new centre rises. The new borough was built after the earthquake of 1783. The foot of the mountains is divided up into 21 cha- racteristic districts: Camaldoli, Censulieri, Monastieri, Chiazza,Parrera,Funtanerja, Baracca, Rau,Rinerja, Chiesu- lerja, Bassulata, Capana, Lonaci, Filanda, Mancusa, Santu Pietro, Giruni, Cunduolima, Burgu, Mazzareja L’ Aria and Santa Ruoccu. The parish Church of Maria Santissima del Soccorso of the seventeeth century is famous for its wooden baroque altar, marble ciborium of the 1500’s and some wooden statues. In the Church of Saint Maria del Ro- sario is located the painting that displays the Madonna del Rosario dating back to the ninteeth century and made by the painter Martini. Another important church is called Ma- ria Santissima del Carmelo. It dates back to the seventeenth century. The church was founded by the Carmlite Order, where the nuns were sent to teach Monterosso women the Distance from the Resort: 20 km art of sewing and embroidery along with religion and ge- HOW TO REACH IT neral knowledge. Of great cultural interest is the Artisan Proceed towards the SS18. Then Turn rights into SS18. After 0.9 Km proceed into S.S.110. After 7 kms turn left on the S.P.47 and proceed untill you get to Monterosso. erra San Bruno represents one of the major places of Sinterest in the region. is surrounded by green mountains called Serre. The place is full of architectural landmarks of various epochs. It was founded by the monk called Brunone di Colonia, who built his hermitage there and got many followers, thus creating Carthusian Order. The Carthusian Monastery of Santo Stefano del Bosco is the first in and second in Europe after the Grenoble one. In Serra San Bruno it is possible to visit the Certosa Museum, where you can admire masterpieces of spiritual art produced by the monks. You can spot various churches in the area such as: Chiesa dell’Addolorata, Chiesa dell’Annunziata, Chiesa di Santa Maria dell’Ermo where San Brunone lived and died. Next to the church is the cave where the Saint prayed and slept and the miracle lake, where tradition says the remains of the Saint are.

Distance from the Resort: 40 km HOW TO REACH IT Proceed towards SS18. Turn right into SSS18. After 0.9 km follow direction SS110. After 20.1 kms turn left into Via Roma/SS 110. Follow SS110 for 16 kms until you get to Serra San Bruno. TILO, clinging to the slope of Monte Cosolino, has SByzantine origins and is one of the most important places in Calabria. Among the many numerous monuments “ A must see” is the church of San Francesco from the of interest is the Cattolica, a byzantine church of the Romanesque era of 1252. seventh century A.D. It is built of brick and has been well preserved. OCRI was founded in the seventh century. A.D. by the Lcitizens of Locri. The location was already inhabited by ERACE. was built by refugees from Locri in the Italian people. Today it is one of the most modern centres of Gninth century. Its name, Agia Ciriaca, derives from the Ionian coast of Calabria and a popular seaside resort. Of the Byzantine word which means “sacred peak”. Its great interest is the area of the archaeological excavations location is overlooking (3 km from the center) where you can admire the ruins almost the entire territory of an Ionic temple (fifth century A.D), the sanctuary of of Locri. Although it was Persephone and a temple of Athena. Also in the area are sacked several times by the the remains of a greek-roman theatre and a stronghold of Saracens and was destroyed the house Marzano in which a battle took place between by earthquakes, its historic Scipio and Hannibal (205 A.D). Near the excavations is the center has been well “Antiquarium” which houses archaeological material of preserved, including the considerable interest. magnificent castle (twelfth century A.D). The Norman- Romanesque cathedral, the Distance from the Resort: 120 km largest in Calabria, is built HOW TO REACH IT partly on the rock and part Follow the mootrway A3 Salerno-( Salerno on a crypt of greek origins, direction) exit Lamezia . Enter on SS280 direction Due probably an early christian Mari. At the intersection of Catanzaro Lido turn right toward basilica in the year 1000. Soverato – Reggio Calabria or enter SS 110 for Serra San Bruno, SP95 Stilo ue to the optical effect according Dto which it would seem closer to Sicily than it actually is, people gave it the name the “City of Morgan Le Fay”. Reggio di Calabria was a thriving city of Magna Graecia. the Bronze Statues of the two Greek warriors in perfect Thanks to its strategic position it physical shape, whose sculptor is unknown. They were was the centre of comunication. Of found in the waters of on August 16, 1972, probably the old buildings, only a few ruins because their ship was shipwrecked. Do not miss a stop of the greek walls remain visible on at the legendary Scilla, a center perched on the slopes of the Promenade of Falcomatà which a rocky outcrop, and known for its colourful houses built D’Annunzio described as the most just above water level. The culinary tradition is based on beautiful kilometre in Italy. The sword fish caught by the few remaining “spatare” (old Aragonese castle (XV cent.) was traditional boats). Also try the Cerasolo of Scilla a tasty built on an already existing fortress wine produced on site. in 1207. The cathedral was completely destroyed and rebuilt in the Romanesque style and houses a marble pulpit with bas-reliefs, tombs and some important paintings.The archaeological museum, with bronze tablets, constitutes the archives of the city of Locri. Inside you can find thehead Distance from the Resort: 105 km of Apollo, Greek and Byzantine coins, paintings by Mattia HOW TO REACH IT Preti and Antonello da . But the real attractions Proceed toward SS18. turn right into SS18. After 0.9 km turn that have become the symbol of the city are, without doubt, left and remain on SS18. After 0.5 km enter the motorway A3 direction Reggio Calabria) and proceed for about 100 km untiil you reach Reggio Calabria. t is a large plateau extending for about 2000 square Ikilometres in the central part of Calabria. Its woodland glades and streams reach an altitude of 1200 metres above sea level culminating in the Monte Botte Donato (1928 metres). It takes in part of the provinces of Cosenza, Catanzaro and . It is divided into three areas Sila Grande (center), Sila Piccola (south) Sila Greek (north).

75,700 hectares of the plateau is protected since 2001 by the Sila National Park. Its green forests constitute a microcosm to explore by hiking where you can observe not only the flora but also its rich fauna of wolf, fox, squirrels, dormice, otters and black woodpeckers.

Distance from the Resort: 123 km HOW TO REACH IT Motorway A3 Salerno-Reggio Calabria direction SA. Get off at Cosenza and enter the SS 107 direction Spezzano Sila.