Tropea

Tropea is a town in the province of Vibo Valentia. Its morphology is very particular, is divided into two parts: the upper, with the town stretching on a rock overlooking the sea, and the lower, "The Marina", close to the port. The history of Tropea begins in Roman times: according to tradition, the founder was Hercules, returning from Spain, he stopped on the God’s Coast (one of his ports). Due to its characteristic position on the sea terrace, Tropea played an important role in the Byzantine era: many are the remains of that period, such as the Church of the cape and the city walls. The Normans wrested the city from the Byzantines after a long siege. Of great importance, the Franciscan Monastery, the Norman Cathedral of 1100 and the entire historic center, with the palaces of the '700 and' 800 and their noble portals. Tropea is known for its namesake National Literary Prize, which attracts writers from all over Italy, and for its gastronimic tradition, who made of blue fish and red onion (a quality brand) its own peculiarities. The economy is mainly based on summer tourism: for the Sunday Times (2007), Tropea is one of the 20 most beautiful beaches in Europe.