Locations worth seeing
Sights worth a visit in Calabria: attractions
Not just the sun, not just the sea.
Let yourself be seduced by the most authentic Calabria, whose beauty is revealed in ancient villages waiting to be discovered, parks and unspoilt landscapes, myths, legends and a startling hinterland.
Let yourself be seduced by the most authentic Calabria, whose beauty is revealed in ancient villages waiting to be discovered, parks and unspoilt landscapes, myths, legends and a startling hinterland.
Rely on Borgo Donna Canfora and its intimate knowledge of the area to choose which locations to visit during your stay in Capo Vaticano and experience a waking dream of this beautiful part of the world.
The legend of Donna Canfora
According to local legend, Donna Canfora was a very rich noblewoman, adorned with the rarest virtues and supreme beauty. Widowed at a young age, she decided to dedicate her life to the memory of her lost husband.
One day, however, her maid came home with good news: on the beach at Torre Ruffa, a ship loaded with silk cloth had arrived from the Far East.
Everyone ran down to the marina to admire the marvels on display aboard the ship.
"These are marvels," said the maid to Donna Canfora, "that you only see once in a lifetime. Let's go, Signora!"
So Donna Canfora set out towards the sea.
The captain of the ship came to meet her and said "The fame of your virtues has reached the farthest shores of Arabia and Persia.”
Donna Canfora thanked him and let him guide her to the ship.
Suddenly, however, the crew, upon a sign from the captain, began to haul anchor and hoist the sails.
One day, however, her maid came home with good news: on the beach at Torre Ruffa, a ship loaded with silk cloth had arrived from the Far East.
Everyone ran down to the marina to admire the marvels on display aboard the ship.
"These are marvels," said the maid to Donna Canfora, "that you only see once in a lifetime. Let's go, Signora!"
So Donna Canfora set out towards the sea.
The captain of the ship came to meet her and said "The fame of your virtues has reached the farthest shores of Arabia and Persia.”
Donna Canfora thanked him and let him guide her to the ship.
Suddenly, however, the crew, upon a sign from the captain, began to haul anchor and hoist the sails.
The crowd, realising the danger, shouted furious cries and desperate expletives, but the ship was already free of its moorings and gliding lightly over the calm water. The captain was dragging the beautiful Donna Canfora back to her cabin.
Then, seeing herself alone among those barbarians, she asked to be let free for a moment to say her last goodbye to her home and her homeland.
She stood upright on the stern and looked for a long time at the fast-moving shore, then, raising her eyes to the sky, she threw herself into the sea, shouting: "Learn, O tyrant, that the women of this land prefer death to dishonour!"
Her blue brocade clothes, weighed down by the water, did not give her a chance to reach the shore and so she disappeared into the waves without ever coming up again.
At that place, in memory of Donna Canfora, the waters turned an iridescent blue, and the bottom became covered with algae, actinias and asterias.
Then, seeing herself alone among those barbarians, she asked to be let free for a moment to say her last goodbye to her home and her homeland.
She stood upright on the stern and looked for a long time at the fast-moving shore, then, raising her eyes to the sky, she threw herself into the sea, shouting: "Learn, O tyrant, that the women of this land prefer death to dishonour!"
Her blue brocade clothes, weighed down by the water, did not give her a chance to reach the shore and so she disappeared into the waves without ever coming up again.
At that place, in memory of Donna Canfora, the waters turned an iridescent blue, and the bottom became covered with algae, actinias and asterias.
Capo Vaticano
Capo Vaticano is an unspoilt location of extraordinary beauty.
In just seven kilometres of crystal-clear waters tinged with turquoise, deep and light blue, there is a succession of panoramas of indescribable charm: coves with sandy bottoms carved out of impervious rocky spurs; smooth tufa cliffs; sharp granite cliffs dropping sheer into the sea; gorges and caves that can only be reached by the boats of expert fishermen...
In just seven kilometres of crystal-clear waters tinged with turquoise, deep and light blue, there is a succession of panoramas of indescribable charm: coves with sandy bottoms carved out of impervious rocky spurs; smooth tufa cliffs; sharp granite cliffs dropping sheer into the sea; gorges and caves that can only be reached by the boats of expert fishermen...
The red onion from Tropea
The cultivation of red onions covers the entire Capo Vaticano and Tropea area.
Its extraordinary sweetness, delicate fragrance and above all its lightness, due to the morphological peculiarities of the soil, make it highly sought after and famous all over the world.
Its tasty bulb is the basis of southern gastronomy, where it is served both raw and as a basic ingredient in salads and various dressings. Every year, on the 13th of August, Ricadi hosts the Red Onion Festival.
Its extraordinary sweetness, delicate fragrance and above all its lightness, due to the morphological peculiarities of the soil, make it highly sought after and famous all over the world.
Its tasty bulb is the basis of southern gastronomy, where it is served both raw and as a basic ingredient in salads and various dressings. Every year, on the 13th of August, Ricadi hosts the Red Onion Festival.
Zungri – Monte Poro
Zungri is an agricultural centre located 571 metres above sea level on the northern slope of the Monte Poro plateau. It is the starting point for interesting excursions to discover places of historical, archaeological and natural significance, such as the cave settlement 'Grotte degli Sbariati' and the system of water mills and torrents. Not to be missed is the Museum of Rock and Rural Civilisation in the historic centre of Zungri.
Nicotera
Nicotera is located 210 metres above sea level on a ridge overlooking the sea, and is criss-crossed by winding streets, underground passages and steep stairways.
Of interest are the numerous panoramic overlooks, granite portals, buildings and stone fountains. Not to be missed is the statue of the Madonna della Scala, placed on a hill from which it is possible to admire Nicotera, the Costa Viola, the Straits of Messina and the shore of Sicily.
The view from the 'affacciu' is particularly impressive: one of the most beautiful views in Calabria.
Of interest are the numerous panoramic overlooks, granite portals, buildings and stone fountains. Not to be missed is the statue of the Madonna della Scala, placed on a hill from which it is possible to admire Nicotera, the Costa Viola, the Straits of Messina and the shore of Sicily.
The view from the 'affacciu' is particularly impressive: one of the most beautiful views in Calabria.
Spilinga
It is a town in a splendid position on Mount Poro, at an altitude of about 450 metres, close to the Capo Vaticano promontory.
Spilinga is the birthplace of the 'nduja, a spicy spreadable salami very popular in Italy and abroad: during the summer, the town hosts the homonymous festival.
The cave of the Madonna delle Fonti and the Ruffa valley, which is about 3 km from the town and can only be reached along rugged trails, are worth visiting.
Spilinga is the birthplace of the 'nduja, a spicy spreadable salami very popular in Italy and abroad: during the summer, the town hosts the homonymous festival.
The cave of the Madonna delle Fonti and the Ruffa valley, which is about 3 km from the town and can only be reached along rugged trails, are worth visiting.
Scilla
Legend has it that Scylla was founded by Ulysses, who was forced to disembark at this location.
It certainly dates back to Greek times and is now a well-known fishing and seaside resort.
A tour of the town includes a visit to the Castle of the Ruffo Princes, which houses a famous art gallery. Spectacular are the Tremusa or Lamia Caves, a complex of natural caves full of stalactites and stalagmites and shell deposits from the Pliocene era.
It certainly dates back to Greek times and is now a well-known fishing and seaside resort.
A tour of the town includes a visit to the Castle of the Ruffo Princes, which houses a famous art gallery. Spectacular are the Tremusa or Lamia Caves, a complex of natural caves full of stalactites and stalagmites and shell deposits from the Pliocene era.
Pizzo Calabro
Pizzo Calabro, one of the most picturesque villages on the Costa degli Dei, is perched on the slope of a striking promontory that rises steeply above the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Not to be missed in the small town are the Aragonese castle where Gioacchino Murat (Napoleon's brother-in-law) was killed and the small church of Piedigrotta, entirely dug out of the tuff as a reminder of a shipwreck. Pizzo Calabro is also known for its homemade ice cream, the “Tartufo di Pizzo”, prepared by the ice cream parlours in the historic centre.
Not to be missed in the small town are the Aragonese castle where Gioacchino Murat (Napoleon's brother-in-law) was killed and the small church of Piedigrotta, entirely dug out of the tuff as a reminder of a shipwreck. Pizzo Calabro is also known for its homemade ice cream, the “Tartufo di Pizzo”, prepared by the ice cream parlours in the historic centre.
Serra San Bruno
Serra San Bruno is one of the most appealing tourist destinations in the Calabrian Mountains. A spiritual, artisan and agricultural centre located between Sila and Aspromonte, it contains a village made up of churches, convents and Carthusian monasteries immersed in an aura of mysticism and spirituality, enclosed by thick pine and fir forests that make it a favourite destination for lovers of trekking and nature walks.
With countless hiking trails that can be explored through unspoilt areas and spectacular views. Not to be missed is the Pietra del Signore, a large granite monolith that appears to be suspended in the air.
With countless hiking trails that can be explored through unspoilt areas and spectacular views. Not to be missed is the Pietra del Signore, a large granite monolith that appears to be suspended in the air.