TROPEA
Suspended on a tract of the Tyrrhenian coast
on a promontory comprised between the Gioia Gulf and that
of the S. Eufemia, Tropea enjoys a beautiful
panoramic position. It is touristic centre for excellence
in Calabria.
History
The artefacts which were uncovered in the territory, tell
of a human settlement present during the Neolithic period.
The digs have also restored a necropolis with pit graves (XVI-IX
century BC) and a series of Pithoi (funeral urns) with reference
to the Ausoni population, originally from Greece who were
present in Italy since the XVII century BC.
Legend wishes that Tropea was founded by Hercules with the
name of Portus Herculis, as cited by Strabone and Plinio.
History instead, calls into cause the African Publio Scipione,
who returning victoriously from the Battle of Zama (202 BC),
founded a city and offered it as a trophy of gratitude to
the gods for the victory, from which the centre took its name.
The name Tropea, however, could also have derived from the
Greek Tropaia (trophy), still with reference to the custom
of giving thanks to the gods, and therefore would move the
existence of the present day position of the centre to the
Magno-Greek era.
What is certain, is that beginning in the II century BC, this
area as with the whole of Calabria, entered into the orbit
of Rome, remaining there until the fall of the Empire (476
AD), but as a secondary centre in the region.
In the ambit of the Greek-Gothic War (535-553), it was fortified
by the Byzantine general Belisario who after winning against
the Ostrogoths, annexed the whole of southern Italy to the
Eastern Roman Empire.
The Sant'Arcangelo Monastery was erected and Tropea became
an Episcopal seat (VII century), therefore acquiring even
more importance in the region. It was for this reason that
it became an object of conquest for the Saracens, by now masters
of Sicily (827) beginning during the IX century and for the
entire X century.
Tropea was once again reconquered and fortified by the Byzantines
(X century) and had to yield to the descent of the Normans
of Roberto and Ruggero d'Altavilla (1059), who allowed it
to experience a period of development and wealth, culminating
in the construction of the Cathedral (XII century).
Under the Swabians (1194-1269), Tropea was elevated to a county,
but the decline of the Angioinians in Italy (1266) and the
Vespri Siciliani (1282), which initiated hostility between
the first and the Aragonese, put the centre under a long and
painful dispute.
King Roberto d'Angiò assigned the fief to Ugone di
Boville, but a revolt by the inhabitants took it once again
under Crown possession (20th June 1315).
Roberto also had the port constructed, and thanks to its activity,
Tropea prospered for centuries.
The arrival of the Aragonese in the Reign of Naples (1442),
coincided with reinforcement of the defensive structure of
Tropea.
A visit to the City
There are numerous monuments and places of cultural and artistic
interest to visit in Tropea; all accompanied with picturesque
glimpses and panoramic views overlooking the sea.
On entering through Porta Nuova and moving along Corso Vittorio
Emanuele, one will come across the Ancient Nobility Seat to
the right, the centre from time of the City's Government,
and the Pasquale Galluppi Monument, a philosopher born in
Tropea during the '700s.
On turning right into Via Roma, one will find the Cathedral
of Norman foundation (XII century), with its beautiful portico
to the right and Gothic portal. There a numerous works of
art housed in its interior.
Not too distant is where Palazzo Vescovile ('200s) stands,
centre of the Diocesano Museum and the San Francisco of Assisi
Church.
Going back along Corso Vittorio Emanuel, one can descend to
admire the fantastic panorama overlooking the beautiful Spiaggia
della Rotonda (Rotonda Beach), the San Leonardo Rocky Slopes
to the right and the beautiful S. Maria dell'Isola Church,
founded by the Benedictines during the High Medieval period
on a rock which was at the time joined to the mainland.
There are still many other places of interest, amongst which
we would like to cite only Palazzo Toraldo, centre of Paleochristian
epigraphs and historical documents about the village, and
the Annunziata Church which preserves noteworthy works from
the '500s.
Place of interest
- Chiesa Concattedrale o Duomo (XII sec.)
- Chiesa dell'Annunziata ('400)
- Chiesa della Michelizia
- Chiesa del Gesù
- Chiesa di S. Maria dell'Isola (Altomedievale)
- Chiesa del Ss. Rosario
- Chiesa di Santa Caterina
- Chiesa di San Giuseppe ('700)
- Convento Francescano
- Chiesa di San Michele
- Chiesa di San Francesco (1661)
- Oratorio di San Demetrio
- Chiesa dei Liguorini (XVII sec.)
- Antico Sedile della Nobiltà
- Palazzo Iannelli-D'Aquino
- Palazzo Naso
- Palazzo Barone
- Palazzo Toraldo
- Palazzo Braghò
- Palazzo Cesareo
- Palazzo Giffone
- Palazzo D'Aquino
- Tre fontane
- Fontana Sant'Agasi
- Fontana Fazzari
- Fontana Barone
- Monumento a Pasquale Galluppi
- Calvario
- Edicola delle Anime del Purgatorio
- Orologio Solare
- Santuario Santa Maria dell'Isola
- Santuario Madonna di Romania
- Visita di Rosarno
- Visita di Vibo Valentia
Museums
- Museo della Scienza e della Tecnica
- Museo degli Antichi Mestieri di Calabria
- Museo Diocesano di Tropea, Palazzo Vescovile
- Necropoli ed Incinerazione protovillanoviani
- Raccolta Privata di Toraldo di Francia, Palazzo Toraldo
Events
- Festa di San Giuseppe il 21 marzo
- Festa della Madonna di Romania il 27 marzo ed il 9 settembre
- Venerdì Santo
- Festa di S. Francesco di Paola il 2 aprile
- Festa I tri cruci il 3 maggio
- Invenzione della Santa Croce il 3 maggio
- Premio Letterario Nazionale Città di Tropea in giugno
- Festa di S. Antonio il 13 giugno
- Sagra del Pesce azzurro e della Cipolla rossa di Tropea
in luglio
- Festa della Madonna del Carmine il 16 luglio
- Tropea Film Festival Premio Raf Vallone in agosto
- Festa della Madonna dell'Isola il 15 agosto
- Tropea Blues Festival in settembre
- Presepe vivente in dicembre
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