Broadway a Tropea 2008

In the splendid Costa degli Dei, a precious pearl well-known all over the world, place of ancient legends and of millennial history, is set and its name is Tropea.

The founder is said to be Hercules who, coming back from Spain (Columns of Hercules), stopped in the Costa degli Dei, and according to this legend, Tropea became one of the Ports of Ercole. Thanks to his characteristic position of terrace on the sea, Tropea had an important role, both during Roman period and later with the Saracen occupation and, even more, with the Normans and the Aragonese.

The ancient part of the town is situated on a sheer terrace to the sea, in front of the small island where there is the ancient Benedictine Sanctuary (S. Maria Church of the island). With basilian origin, it was completed in 370 a. C., renovated during gothic period, and it was, for centuries, the shelter of hermits and sailors, as it wasn’t connected with the dry land. All around the sanctuary, reachable by a steep staircase extracted from the islet’s rock, there is a beautiful garden rich in Mediterranean plants, and a marvellous view over the sea, that offers a very striking panoramic of the whole cost, and it is a very romantic place… It’s possible to see the Aeolian Islands with Stromboli and Volcano, Sicily with the majestic Etna, in the background.

The white beaches, which are below the cliff of Tropea, clash, in a magical way, with a limpid and crystal sea, which colours are between the turquoise and the intense blue. The historical centre is rich in churches belonging to different periods (Norman Cathedral, St. Francis of Assisi, S. Maria della Neve, of the Announced etc.) and in impressive noble palaces, that inside preserve rich treasures and precious street furniture, in excellent conditions.

From the outside of these palaces (ancient patrician residences), it’s possible to admire the eighteenth-century balconies (projecting into the sea) and the impressive "Portals" situated in the entrance of the palaces, made by capable craftsmen. All this is contained in a maze of little streets that lead to marvellous squares that suddenly overlook on the sea or on green terraces.

Many noble palaces were built projecting into the sea from a considerable height, with windows and balconies that overlook directly on one of the most attractive angles of the Mediterranean Sea. By venturing on the historical centre, it’s possible to find small shops of known craftsmen that work wood, iron, woven and terracotta.

Tropea is also provided with a modern tourist port, supplied with all comfort and not far from the historical centre. The port of Tropea is one of five ports of Hercules together with other four ports of the Mediterranean Sea, by means of the above-mentioned legend.