The town on the cliff and the sanctuary on the rock
On the Tyrrhenian coast of Calabria, in the province of Vibo Valentia, Tropea is one of the most famous and photographed seaside towns in southern Italy, often called the "Pearl of the Tyrrhenian". Its old town stands on a sandstone cliff about 60 metres high, with palaces of the local nobility, churches and lanes that end in balconies overlooking the sea, while below stretch beaches of white sand washed by turquoise water. In 2021, Tropea was voted "Borgo dei Borghi", the most beautiful village in Italy, in a popular television contest.
The symbol of Tropea is the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell'Isola, a small church standing on top of a rocky promontory that was once an island, separated from the town by the beach, reached by a flight of steps carved in the rock; the view of the sanctuary from the belvederes of the town, especially at sunset, is one of the most iconic images of Calabria. The Norman Cathedral, of the twelfth century, preserves the venerated icon of the Madonna di Romania, patron of the town, of Byzantine style. Tropea is also famous for its red onion, the "Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria IGP", sweet and delicate, which is eaten raw, in salads, in jams and even in ice cream, and is sold in braids in all the shops. On clear days, from the town you can see the Aeolian Islands, with the smoking cone of Stromboli.
Tip: in summer, Tropea is very busy: visit in May, June or September; watch the sunset from the belvedere of Piazza del Cannone.
Where it is
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