Holiday apartment in Limbadi – Culture, Festivals and Monte Poro

Limbadi lies in the south of the province of Vibo Valentia at the foot of Monte Poro. The municipality is situated in a hilly landscape between the pastures of the Monte Poro plateau and the Costa degli Dei; at the same time, the Monte Poro plateau also extends into the territory of Limbadi.

The journey to Limbadi follows the A3 towards Reggio Calabria to the Rosarno exit, and then the SS18 to Limbadi. Travel by road therefore follows this sequence of motorway, exit and SS18. Limbadi is also served by Rosarno railway station. Rosarno is therefore the common reference point for both travel options.

Holiday apartment in Limbadi: Local History and Festival Culture

Corso Umberto I is paved with lava stone; the adjacent alley, which bears the name of the Prince of Piedmont, is also paved with lava stone. The stone was brought from Mount Etna in the 1930s. In the Chiesa di San Pantaleone, a relic of Saint Pantaleon is kept in a small ampoule. During the procession in honour of the saint, some believers, known as “sparacari”, wear a hood made of prickly wild herbs that covers the head down to the upper body in order to fulfil a vow.

Motta Filocastro lies along the ancient Via Popilia. Narrow, winding alleys, iron balconies and granite portals shape the townscape there. Count Roger had a castle with twelve towers built there. The ancient Via Popilia is therefore just as much a part of the town's history as the castle with twelve towers built by Count Roger.

For the Filocastrum Festival, the historic centre of Motta Filocastro is prepared for visitors attending the medieval festival in the town with its preserved ancient urban structure. The Filocastrum Festival includes stalls run by merchants and craftspeople, musical performances and a historical procession with around 80 participants. The festival programme thus combines market stalls, music and the historical procession.

In Motta Filocastro, Il Tocco is a viewing balcony. From there, the view extends over the Piana di Gioia Tauro, the mountains of the Serre and Aspromonte. The view also extends over the Strait of Messina, parts of Sicily and Mount Etna.

Monte Poro, Panoramic Views and Regional Traditions

Caroni lies almost on the slopes of Monte Poro and looks towards the Serre and the Gulf of Gioia Tauro. The Sagra dei Tagghjarini in Caroni is an annual summer event dedicated to tasting traditional pasta. The Giornata del Contadino commemorates traditional occupations, old agricultural tools and recipes from simple rural cuisine.

Two important festivals in honour of Saint Pantaleon take place in Limbadi: the “festa du santu poveru” at the end of May and the more solemn “festa du santu riccu” in July. In Limbadi, the two festivals therefore take place at the end of May and in July, while Caroni is associated with an annual summer event.

Further places for planning your trip include Rombiolo, Mandaradoni, Capo Vaticano, Caria, Parghelia, Simbario, Pizzo and Francavilla Angitola.

For the overarching travel overview: Vibo Valentia.