At this point, only a few of the places worth seeing are mentioned that should be visited in Calabria.
Pizzo
The small fishing village of Pizzo is picturesquely situated on a cliff. In the piazza is the gelateria where the Tartufo ice cream was created.
Also worth seeing is the Castello Murat, where the King of Naples, a brother-in-law of Napoleon, was shot dead in 1815 during his captivity, ending the French rule over southern Italy.
Piedigrotta
Below Pizzo, just a few kilometres to the north, is the historic church of Piedigrotta on the sea shore. It was carved into the tuff stone at sea level.
Legend has it that a sailing ship went into distress in a storm. The sailors, in their time of need, summoned Saint Mary of Piedigrotta, whose image was in the command booth.
They promised to build a chapel on the site where they would reach the mainland in the event of survival. The ship slammed against the rocks and broke up. The painting of the Madonna was rescued and found unharmed on the beach.
The sailors kept their promise and dug a cave in the rocks where they set up the painting.
The local fishermen built a small altar in the cave and a bell tower containing the bell of the destroyed ship from 1632.
Vibo Valentia
The provincial capital, Vibo Valentia, is inland. In the archaeological park there are mosaics and remnants of the Greek city wall.
Also worth seeing is the Castel by Vibo Valentia, which is being expanded as a museum. It stands where the Acropolis of Hipponion was probably located. The Castel was enlarged in 1289 by Charles von Anjou and rebuilt as a residence by the Aragonese and Pignatellis.
Scilla
Scilla is a small picturesque fishing village on the Strait of Messina. The steeply ascending colorful place thrives on fishing and tourism. The houses are practically built into the sea and are lapped at swell.
According to an ancient legend, the sea monster Skylla, known from the Greek mythology of Homer’s Odyssey, is said to have been here. In opposite Sicilian Messina was home to the other monster Charybdis.
Capo Vaticano
Capo Vaticano is a rocky outcrop from which, in good visibility, a wide view of the Aeolian Islands (Stromboli, Vulcano, Lipari, Salina, Filicudi, Alicudi and Panarea) as well as up to the Strait of Messina (Stretto di Messina) opens up.
Aspromonte National Park
The Aspromonte National Park around the mountain massif of the same name includes narrow valleys surrounded by steep rocks, which are still home to wildlife such as wolves, wild cats and eagles. For hikes, be sure to take a local guide.
