ROCCELLA IONICA
Roccella Ionica is an important seaside
centre situated along the southern Jonic coast,
not too distant from the National Aspromonte Park.
History
It seems that the present day centre derives its name from
the ancient Amphissa, a centre founded by the Italic population
and which also saw a period of development during the Magno-Greek
era.
A Necropolis, situated in the Sant’Onofrio locality
and dating back to the IX century BC, remains as testament
to this period.
The remains of a Roman Villa in the Tipaldo District was discovered
from the Roman Imperial period.
Following Saracen raids (IX century AD), the inhabitants moved
towards the interior and founded Roccella on top of a rock.
The centre was cited in 1040 by the name of Repella.
The suburb was fief of the following families over the centuries:
Collepietro, Centelles, Ruffo and Carafa.
It was fortified during the ‘500s to face the new emergency
in the form of Turkish raids.
It was also costly for the ill-famed Turkish Corsair, Dragut
(1594), who did not succeed in storming Roccella Jonica, and
indeed lost many of his ships to the Castle’s artillery.
A visit to the City
Roccella is dominated by the remains of the majestic Angioinian
Castle, an important arm of defence against Turkish raids.
The Pizzofalcone Tower, closer to the coast, also forms part
of this defensive system.
The following are noteworthy in Roccella for the artistic
patrimony they preserve: the San Vittore and San Nicola Churches
and the Maria SS delle Grazie Sanctuary.
The part of Roccella, which is closer to the sea and more
modern, is well equipped as a seaside centre.
In Summer, the centre hosts an important musical manifestation,
the Roccella Jazz Festival.
Roccella can be a good point of depart for naturalistic excursions
to the interior of the Aspromonte National Park or to visit
important historical centres such as Locri and Caulonia.
Place of interest
- Castello Angioino
- Santuario di Maria SS. delle Grazie (1545)
- Chiesa di San Nicola
- Chiesa di San Vittore
- Torre di Pizzofalcone
- Teatro al Castello
- Santuario della Madonna Santissima delle Grazie
- Parco Nazionale dell'Aspromonte
- Visita di Mammola
- Visita di Grotteria
- Visita di Caulonia
- Visita di Marina di
Gioiosa Jonica
- Visita di Locri
Museums
- IN PROGRESS
Events
- Festa di Maria S.S. delle Graziea la prima domenica di
luglio
- Roccella Jazz festival in estate
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