Vibo Valentia: Culture and History

Vibo Valentia lies on a hill 476 metres above sea level. The panoramic view extends from Capo Palinuro in Campania to the Aeolian Islands and Mount Etna in Sicily. For travellers looking for hotels in Vibo Valentia, this connection to the landscape goes hand in hand with a strong focus on culture and archaeology: topics range from the remains of Greek fortifications to works of art in churches and collections.

Greek and Roman History

The Vito Capialbi State Archaeological Museum traces the history of Vibo Valentia from the Locrian colony of Hipponion to the Roman colony of Valentia. The city’s archaeological park is dedicated to protecting and enhancing monumental remains from the Greek and Roman periods. The two perspectives differ: the museum spans the history of two colonies, while the park focuses on architectural evidence.

Trappeto Vecchio offers a concrete example of the archaeological route. For at least 500 metres, it follows the remains of Greek defensive walls with towers and small gates. The route also includes the Doric temple at Belvedere Telegrafo, built at the end of the 5th century BC. Different forms of Greek architecture can thus be seen together: the route at Trappeto Vecchio highlights walls, towers and gates, while Belvedere Telegrafo features the temple.

Finds and Roman Domestic Life

The Terme e domus romane di Vibonia in Sant'Aloe comprises a Roman thermal complex dating to the 2nd century AD and several domus. One of these domus has a peristyle, an inner courtyard surrounded by columns. The complex offers a chance to explore different aspects of Roman architecture and domestic life: the thermal complex and the houses, including one with this distinctive courtyard.

The collections at Palazzo Capialbi range from Roman glassware and Greek bronze figurines to medieval finds. It also houses an autograph page by Giacomo Leopardi containing his poem L'infinito. Archaeological objects and a literary document in the poet’s own hand thus offer different ways to explore the collections. Vibo Valentia therefore offers a cultural trip that takes in archaeology as well as art and literature.

Churches, Art and Architecture

The Chiesa di San Giuseppe combines architectural history with notable furnishings. The Jesuits commissioned the church, Francesco Grimaldi designed it, and it opened for worship in 1701. Inside are the painting La visione di Sant'Ignazio and a wooden group depicting San Giuseppe on the high altar. The commission, design and opening tell the story of the building, while the two works are specific examples of its furnishings.

The Duomo, the Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore e San Leoluca, contains several works from different periods and in different materials: an 18th-century polychrome marble high altar by Francesco Raguzzini, a 16th-century freestanding sculpture of the Madonna della Neve attributed to Annibale Caccavello, and a Renaissance marble triptych by Gagini. These works offer different points of entry for considering materials, dates and artistic attribution.

The Santuario di S. Ruba was built around the year 1000 by Pope Callixtus II and has a dome with an oriental design. The western façade of the Castello Normanno-Svevo features two cylindrical towers and a hexagonal tower. Each of these architectural forms adds its own distinctive touch, complementing the churches and their artworks.

Maritime Industrial History

The Tonnara di Bivona is a 19th-century building associated with tuna fishing and is an example of maritime industrial archaeology. Boats and nets were stored in the loggia; activities to prepare the tuna trap took place outside. This arrangement brings the former working practices to life: the loggia was used for storage, while the trap was prepared outdoors. Alongside the Greek and Roman remains, the tonnara broadens Vibo Valentia’s cultural focus to include the history of maritime industry.

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