Spilinga: Churches, Caves and Calabrian Culinary Culture

Spilinga on Monte Poro

Spilinga is located on Monte Poro in the hinterland of the Costa degli Dei. The town combines historic churches, sacred routes, caves and a distinctive culinary tradition. Spilinga is particularly interesting for you if you do not want to consider culture and local cuisine separately. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore consider whether the historic centre, the pilgrimage site or the culinary events should be the focus of your stay.

Historic Centre and Sacred Sites

As you walk through Spilinga's historic centre, stone lanes, stairways and old churches lead you through the town. The parish church of San Giovanni Battista was restored on the remains of its predecessor, which was damaged by the 1783 earthquake. In Carciadi stands the church entrusted to the protection of Madonna della Misericordia; it was consecrated on 4 September 1932. The townscape therefore presents you with various historical points of reference, from restoration after a devastating earthquake to a consecration in the 20th century.

The medieval anachoretic settlement of Grotta di S. Leo features Byzantine frescoes. The area around Spilinga also contains numerous natural and man-made caves that have been used since prehistoric times. Many of these caves became places of refuge and sites of worship for Basilian monks during the Byzantine period.

Pilgrimage, Chapel and Stations of the Cross

The Santuario Madonna delle Fonti is a chapel carved into the rock and built around a spring that is considered miraculous. A Stations of the Cross route runs alongside the sanctuary and leads visitors to the grotto. Every year on 21 May, the Santuario Madonna delle Fonti is the destination of a pilgrimage with celebrations in honour of the Madonna.

Festivals and Local Cuisine

On 24 June, Spilinga celebrates the feast of San Giovanni Battista with solemn processions through the main streets. The festival includes musical performances, markets and tastings of local Calabrian products, including 'nduja di Spilinga. The Accademia Internazionale di Cucina Mediterranea is a gastronomic and cultural centre in the heart of Spilinga and highlights the connection between regional cuisine and cultural life.

'Nduja di Spilinga comes from the municipality of the same name in the province of Vibo Valentia. It can be eaten on toasted bread or used as a seasoning for other dishes. The Sagra della 'nduja has its own date in the calendar: it takes place every year on 8 August, mainly on Corso Garibaldi in the centre of Spilinga, with food stalls and areas for folk performances. Visitors can sample dishes such as spaghetti, beans with onions, bruschetta, meatballs, sandwiches and vegetables with 'nduja.

Other Places for Orientation

If you would like to discover other places besides Spilinga, here are the nearest destinations: Sant'onofrio, Coccorino, Ricadi, Zungri, Nicotera Marina, Acquaro, San Nicolò Di Ricadi and San Calogero.

For the higher-level travel overview: Vibo Valentia.