Vibo Valentia: Holiday apartment between culture and history

Vibo Valentia lies on a hill at an altitude of 476 metres and offers panoramic views from Capo Palinuro to the Aeolian Islands and Mount Etna. The city combines this elevated location with an exceptionally rich cultural heritage extending from Greek and Roman antiquity through the Middle Ages to vibrant religious traditions.

Culture

The Norman-Swabian Castle is a medieval structure from the 11th century on the hill of Vibo Valentia. Its western façade features two cylindrical towers and a hexagonal tower; the remains of a church dedicated to Saint Michael are located in the courtyard. The State Archaeological Museum “Vito Capialbi” offers access to the history of the area across a broad span of time: its collections illustrate the history and archaeology from prehistory through the Greek and Roman periods to the Middle Ages. The exhibits include a gold tablet bearing an Orphic inscription from the necropolis of Hipponion.

The underwater archaeology section displays a partial reconstruction of a boat’s keel as well as amphorae and anchors from various periods. Most of these objects come from the seabed off Vibo Valentia. The Greek Walls of Hipponion are also connected with the ancient past. They extend for around 500 metres; their first construction phase dates from the 6th century BC and consists of blocks of sandstone and calcarenite. The walls can be visited as part of cultural events. These events are organised by the municipality and associations in coordination with the heritage protection authorities.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore and San Leoluca has a Latin-cross floor plan, a single-nave layout and a Baroque façade. The cathedral is open to visitors and is accessible without barriers via a side ramp at the main entrance. The Museum of Sacred Art is located in the north-western wing of the ground floor.

The Roman Baths and Domus of Vibonia also take visitors back to an earlier era. They date from the 2nd century AD and include a frigidarium, a caldarium and a palaestra. Polychrome mosaics there depict deities, mythical creatures and animals. Today, the remains of a former monastery complex include the large square cloister, several ground-floor cells, the two staircases leading to the upper floor and part of the former Church of San Domenico.

Faith and tradition

The Chiesa del Rosario was built on the remains of a Roman theatre and preserves works by Giulio Rubino, a Madonna del Rosario by Emanuele Paparo and a Saint Vito by Domenico Basile. The wooden statues of the Stations of the Cross kept there are carried in the Good Friday procession.

The Chiesa di San Giuseppe contains, among other works, paintings such as “The Vision of Saint Ignatius” and a wooden group depicting Saint Joseph on the high altar. The still-active Brotherhood of Jesus, Mary and Joseph at the church organises the procession of the Madonna Desolata on the night of Good Friday.

The Santuario di S. Ruba is also located in the area around Vibo Valentia and is considered accessible and open to visitors.

Maritime heritage

In the coastal area of the municipality of Vibo Valentia stands the Tonnara di Bivona, a 19th-century building associated with tuna fishing and regarded as an example of maritime industrial archaeology. Around 1881, construction began there on the loggia for storing boats and nets, as well as on the ground floor of the building. The Tonnara di Bivona can be visited as part of cultural events organised by the municipality.

The port of Vibo Marina serves trade, fishing and tourism. Together with the underwater archaeological finds in the museum, it points to the maritime dimension of the area without overshadowing the city’s historical and religious character.

Cuisine

A regional speciality is Fileja, a traditional homemade pasta from the Vibonese area. To create its characteristic shape, the dough is rolled around a small stick; the pasta is then served with meat ragù.

Other places

For more locations to choose from: Parghelia, Ricadi, San Nicolò Di Ricadi, Santa Maria Di Ricadi, Tropea, Zambrone, Brattiro', Briatico, Capo Vaticano, Vibo Valentia, Serra San Bruno, San Cono, Acquaro, Longobardi, Joppolo, Santa Domenica, Pizzo, Filadelfia, Spilinga, Nicotera Marina, Coccorino, Caria, Simbario, Mileto, San Costantino Calabro, Maierato, Drapia, Brognaturo, Gasponi, Capistrano, Limbadi, Zungri, Mongiana, Filandari, Vibo Marina, Rombiolo, Sant'onofrio, Vallelonga, Paravati, Filogaso, Monterosso Calabro, Ciaramiti, Torre Marino, Cessaniti, Francavilla Angitola, Mandaradoni, Zaccanopoli, Soriano Calabro, Pannaconi and San Calogero.

For the broader travel overview: Calabria.