|
Tropea is on the west coast of the Calabrian peninsula. This is one of Italy’s most beloved seaside towns, so you’ll find a lot of tourists here in the summer months. But don’t let the crowds put you off – the area’s popularity means that you’ll find a broad choice of good restaurants along with a great atmosphere in the town in the evenings.
|
With a population of 8,000, Tropea is situated 70 metres above sea level. The coastal area around the town is characterized by numerous bays and inlets, and small beautiful sandy beaches separated by cliffs. The water here is crystal clear and reflects the colours of the sky so it can appear in all shades of blue and green emerald. Divers will adore it here!
It’s not clear who founded the town or where it got its name. What is known, however, is that it was founded approximately 500 years before Rome and was originally called Portercole. This name goes back to the legend of Hercules who founded the town when he came to Calibria to free the area from giants!
|
Some historians believe that the town was founded by Scipius Afrikanus on his way back to Rome after conquering Carthage in 209 BC. It was meant as a trophy (hence the name Tropea) for the gods who had helped the Roman soldiers defeat the Phoenicians. Others believe that the town was founded by Pompeius and Constantine to mark their victory over the Emperor Octavius.
There are numerous other theories on the town’s origins, so take your pick. One thing is sure, and that’s the fact that it is clearly ancient.
|
The town was under the rule of the Emperor Augustus and part of the 10th Roman region. These regions were administered by curias, which were the places of assembly in various Italian cities under Roman supervision. This set up remained largely unchanged right up to the 14th century when the town was still under the control of two mayors and a committee of the town’s citizens.
|
In the 10th century the Saracens conquered the town three times, the last time being in 985. After the final attack, the Byzantine Emperor decreed that the town be fortified.
But despite these efforts, the town was conquered again by the Normans, who made the town a prosperous and lively trading town. Writings from this period describe the town as a thriving prosperous place organized like a medieval municipality. The town was fortified by strong walls and bastions as well as three large towers, which were outfitted with impressive artillery to deter invasion and attacks from the surrounding towns.
After the Normans, Tropea was conquered by the various foreign invaders that occupied southern Italy in the many centuries leading up to Italy’s unification in 1861.
Under the Bourbon dynasty Tropea was among the 50 towns that had its own administration and enjoyed many political and economic privileges. The town’s decline began in the 17th century when the number of inhabitants fell from approximately 15,000 to 9,000 in just 50 years. There were also several rebellions in this period, and it wasn’t until the beginning of the 18th century that the town entered a period of growth. This period of growth was short-lived, however, as the noble families, who ruled over the town and surrounding area, were not able to attract industry and wealth to the region. A rebellion ensued and in 1806 the town and the noble families were stripped of all their privileges by the Napoleonic ruling authority. However, this economic setback did not affect the town’s thriving cultural scene – indeed many of its inhabitants enjoyed fame throughout Italy and abroad.
|
|
