Vibo Valentia: Ancient Traces, Churches and Museums

Castle, Museum and the Traces of Hipponion

The Castello Normanno-Svevo stands on the hilltop of Vibo Valentia, a medieval structure dating from the 11th century. Its western façade includes two cylindrical towers and a hexagonal tower. The courtyard contains the remains of a church dedicated to Saint Michael.

The “Vito Capialbi” State Archaeological Museum illustrates the history and archaeology of the area through its collections, from prehistory through the Greek and Roman periods to the Middle Ages. Among its notable artefacts is a gold tablet bearing an Orphic inscription from the necropolis of Hipponion. The underwater archaeology section also displays a partial reconstruction of a boat’s keel, as well as amphorae and anchors from different periods, most of which come from the seabed off Vibo Valentia.

The Greek Walls of Hipponion extend for approximately 500 metres. Their first construction phase dates from the 6th century BC and consists of blocks of sandstone and calcareous sandstone. The walls can be visited as part of cultural events organised by the municipality and associations in coordination with the heritage protection authorities.

Sacred Places and Living Traditions

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 Chiesa di San Giuseppe preserves, among other works, paintings such as “The Vision of Saint Ignatius”, as well as a wooden group of figures depicting Saint Joseph on the high altar. The church is associated with the still-active Confraternity of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. On the night of Good Friday, it organises the procession of the Madonna Desolata. The Chiesa del Rosario preserves works by Giulio Rubino, a Madonna del Rosario by Emanuele Paparo and a Saint Vitus by Domenico Basile. It was built on the remains of a Roman theatre.

The wooden statues of the Stations of the Cross kept in the Chiesa del Rosario are carried in the Good Friday procession.

Roman Complexes and Maritime History

The Roman Baths and Domus of Vibonia date from the 2nd century AD and include a frigidarium, a caldarium and a palaestra.

In the coastal area of the municipality of Vibo Valentia lies the Tonnara di Bivona, a 19th-century building associated with tuna fishing and considered 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 Santuario di S. Ruba is located in the surroundings of Vibo Valentia and is considered accessible and open to visitors. The remains of a former monastery complex include the large square cloister, several cells on the ground floor, the two staircases leading to the upper floor and part of the former Church of San Domenico.

Harbour and Regional Cuisine

The harbour of Vibo Marina serves trade, fishing and tourism. Regional cuisine includes Fileja, a traditional homemade pasta from the Vibonese area. It is rolled around a stick and then served with meat ragù.

Other places for your travel planning include 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, San Calogero, Santa Domenica, Pizzo, Filadelfia, Spilinga, Nicotera Marina, Ciaramiti, 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, Cessaniti, Torre Marino, Francavilla Angitola, Pannaconi, Mandaradoni, Zaccanopoli and Soriano Calabro.

For the overarching travel overview: Calabria.