Ancient and Modern Calabria Italy

Ancient and Modern Calabria Italy. The ancient and modern town of Tropea, Calabria, Italy.

Some sketches sheltering from the heat and sun enjoying family company with cornetto and coffee.

A typical Tropean doorway. This building was probably built in the late Renaissance when this town was wealthy
A typical Tropean doorway

The history of Tropea begins in Roman times, when along its coast, Sextus Pompey defeated Octavius. In the south of Tropea, the Romans had built a commercial port, in the locality of Formicoli (from the name Forum of Hercules), mentioned by Pliny and Strabo.

The legend says that it was Hercules who, returning from Spain (Pillars of Hercules) stood on the Coast of Gods and made Tropea one of his ports.

Due to its peculiar position as terrace on the sea, Tropea played an important role during Roman, Norman and Aragonese times. In the surrounding areas have been found tombs dating back to the Magna Graecia period. (source: Tropea)

 

 

 

 

 

 

A typical Tropean street
A typical Tropean street – early one morning before the visitor activity

 

 

From cafes, bars to celebrated restaurants: Tropea has many 'typical' Italian styles of eateries
From cafes, bars to celebrated restaurants: Tropea has many ‘typical’ Italian styles of eateries
... and a market for off the peg clothes, toys and homeware
… and a market for off the peg clothes, toys and home-ware. Great place for the family
... and a harbour for tour boats, fun boats and boats for the wealthy
… and a harbour for tour boats, fun boats and boats for the wealthy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A rooftop sketch from where we were staying
A rooftop sketch
Ancient and Modern Calabria Italy
Nearby Cap Vaticana – hams and salami hanging from a tree, cheeses, toms and all sorts of fruit to enjoy

 

Ancient and Modern Calabria Italy
The former King of Naples Joachim Murat, who was the brother-in-law of Napoleon, was imprisoned for several days in the town’s Aragonese castle and then sentenced to death. He was executed by firing squad on October 13, 1815, in the main hall of the castle and was possibly buried in the church of San Giorgio. Paradoxically, the castle is now called Castello Murat. Inside the castle is the Provincial Museum Murat.
In 1783 the town was almost destroyed by an earthquake, and it suffered some damage from the same cause in 1905.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tropea, Calabria, Italy