Drapia: History, Festivals and the Cammino di Ulisse

Drapia is an ancient town of Greek-Byzantine origin; its historical period dates from the 8th to the 10th century. A viewpoint offers a view of the “Costa degli Dei” Regional Marine Park. Other aspects include Castello Galluppi, churches and historical remains at various named sites, as well as festivals and the Cammino di Ulisse. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose different focuses, from cultural history and a festival date to a hike.

Castello Galluppi and the Cammino di Ulisse

Castello Galluppi was the summer residence of the philosopher Pasquale Galluppi. A plaque at the castle commemorates the visit of the future Pope John XXIII on November 4, 1923. The two historical references are distinct: one concerns Galluppi’s use of the castle, the other a precisely dated visit. Together, they offer a personal and a contemporary-historical perspective on the town’s history, without equating the two events.

The Cammino di Ulisse starts and ends at Castello Galluppi and leads from Carìa down to the Fiumara Ruffa. This specifies the starting point, endpoint and one section of the route. The route description dates from 2023; check the current trail conditions before setting out. This allows you to take the route information into account when planning without assuming any particular current conditions.

Churches, Monastery and Historical Traces

In Carìa, the Chiesa della Trasfigurazione dates from 1660. It has an inlaid marble tabernacle from the former monastery of San Sergio e Bacco. The material, inlay work and provenance are different aspects of the same work of art: the tabernacle combines a specific craft technique with its monastic history. The Santuario della Madonna del Carmelo in Carìa dates from 1906 and is a center of popular devotion.

The Madonna del Carmine chapel was built in 1897. Its ceiling is adorned with a canvas commissioned from Ignazio Sambiase of Pizzo in 1953. The two dates refer to different events: 1897 to the construction of the chapel, and 1953 to the commission for the painting. This distinction helps place the information about the chapel in its historical context without confusing the commission date with the year it was built.

Other historical traces include Torre Galli, the ruins of the former residence of the Galli family. The remains of the Madonna del Cardillo church stand on the hill above Gasponi. The earliest records of the church date from 1451; this date refers to the early records, not the year it was built. Below the present-day settlement of Carìa, at Santu Sidaru, are the remains of the ancient Sant’Isidoro monastery. The monastery was founded in the 8th century by Basilian ascetics.

The Grotta di San Leo lies on a steep slope of the Fiumara Ruffa and is difficult to access. Its frescoes also have different dates: the first four probably date from the 16th century, while another, earlier fresco is attributed to the 11th century. The dates should therefore not be understood as a single dating for all the paintings; the attribution of the first four is explicitly described as probable.

Festivals and Dates in Drapia

At the Sagra del Vino in Drapia on August 10, you can sample wine from Drapia. If you want to plan your trip around this festival, check the date in advance. The Sagra da Sujaca features the dance of the giants Mata e Grifone. If you are planning a trip around this festival, it is also advisable to check the program for the relevant year. The two events offer different points of interest: the information given about the Sagra del Vino focuses on wine tasting, while the Sagra da Sujaca features the dance of the giants.

Discover more destinations: Santa Domenica, San Nicolò Di Ricadi, Simbario, Soriano Calabro, Gasponi, Brognaturo, Acquaro, Joppolo.

For the broader travel overview: Vibo Valentia.