Tropea

Tropea is a place on the Italian Mediterranean coast, located in the Calabria region in the province of Vibo Valentia with 6500 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012).

Geography

The town is located on an approximately 40 m high cliff on the Tyrrhenian Sea. From the old town, you have a good view of the sandy, partially covered with rocky beach and the sea. On a clear day the view to the volcanic island of Stromboli and the other Aeolian islands ranges. Near the center is perched on a rock sanctuary of Santa Maria dell'Isola.

To the south of Tropea is the famous viewpoint Capo Vaticano.

History

For the first time Tropea mentioned the Elder in the 1st century AD by Pliny. According to legend, was the original name " Hercules Port ", because Hercules settled here after his adventures to relax.

Since the 7th century was Tropea seat of a bishopric. 1094 was the first time a Latin cleric successor of the hitherto Greek bishops, but the population was still in the 14th century, large numbers of the Greek language group.

Around 1000 AD, Tropea has developed into a prosperous town and was in the course of feudalism, supported by the tax and administrative freedom, inhabited by numerous noble families.

In the 13th century they built Tropea to protect against the invasion of the Saracens in its present state by, perched on a cliff above the sea. Over the centuries, regular earthquake caused severe damage in the city, so that the inhabitants on the ruins of newly constructed after each quake the city, as evidenced by the archaeological excavations of the 19th century.

In the 19th century Tropea was a rich commercial center and retained until 1806 its independence as a city state. The arrival of the French, however, marked the then held long decay of the city, which could be reversed only with the beginning of tourism.

Tourism

Tropea is one due to its location and the well-preserved old town to the popular holiday destinations of Calabria and the most beautiful places of the Italian Mediterranean coast. However, despite its popularity, it has retained its originality. The old town of Tropea invites with its numerous cafes, small boutiques and typical Italian streets to stroll and linger. In the area there are numerous small coves and white sand beaches and a wide variety of leisure and entertainment options that complement the tourist offer.

Attractions

• The Norman Cathedral of Tropea

Specialty

Tropea is famous for its red onions ( cipolle rosse, also cipolle di Tropea ) announced that taste particularly sweet.

Twinning

• Russia Zvenigorod, Russia, since 2012