About Pizzo
Pizzo Calabro is one of the most renowned towns of the Vibo Valentia province, a wonderful village on the coast, on a promontory in the center of St. Eufemia Gulf.
According to the tradition, Pizzo Calabro was born on the ruins of Napitia, a colony that had been founded by some Focesi. It was destroyed in the fourth century A.D. by a Saracen attack, but the survived inhabitants built it again at the beginning of the tenth century.
In 1363 the development of the village began thanks to some Basilian monks who built a monastery in this zone, while a group of coral pickers from Amalfi built The Graces Church too, which later became the Carmelitan Church.
In this way, the active commercial center Pizzo began to develop and its beauty is still evident today.
Among its artisan activities we want to point out a shipyard for the building of boats and barges with ancient techniques and ceramics, which is another still flourishing activity.
According to the tradition, Pizzo Calabro was born on the ruins of Napitia, a colony that had been founded by some Focesi. It was destroyed in the fourth century A.D. by a Saracen attack, but the survived inhabitants built it again at the beginning of the tenth century.
In 1363 the development of the village began thanks to some Basilian monks who built a monastery in this zone, while a group of coral pickers from Amalfi built The Graces Church too, which later became the Carmelitan Church.
In this way, the active commercial center Pizzo began to develop and its beauty is still evident today.
Among its artisan activities we want to point out a shipyard for the building of boats and barges with ancient techniques and ceramics, which is another still flourishing activity.
Gastronomy
Pizzo and its surrounding villages offer the typical Calabrian gastronomy of excellent quality, prepared with simple, traditional and locally produced ingredients.
In the seaside resorts we recommend sampling some of the amazing fresh fish dishes, the fish arrives fresh from the boat each day and delivered directly to the restaurant. While in the inland local towns you can find some dishes based on cultivated mushrooms, red onions, fresh vegetables and exquisite salami.
Everything is seasoned with a lot of paprika (emblem of Calabria). Paprika is known as natural preservative, a form of disinfectant for the digestive system and more commonly known as a aphrodisiac......be warned though, it can be very hot, so make sure you have a large glass of water at hand in case of emergencies. Among many of the first courses you can avail of fileja, homemade pasta, served with various meat sauces and the legane ai ceci, another kind of pasta served with chickpeas.
We tell all our visitors to never leave Pizzo without experiencing the unforgettable local delicacy, n’duja. Which is made with pork meat and bacon fat mixed with a big quantity of paprika and transformed into a soft compound that you can spread over some fresh bread or it also makes an ideal pate.
Pizzo produces beautiful locally made red and white wine; it’s a steal at just €2 per litre bottle.
This Calabrian town is also famous for its tartufo, a special delicious kind of ice cream celebrated with a festival in Pizzo every August. A visit to a renowned ice cream parlor, Enrico's, situated in Marinella, is a must for all ice cream lovers.
In the seaside resorts we recommend sampling some of the amazing fresh fish dishes, the fish arrives fresh from the boat each day and delivered directly to the restaurant. While in the inland local towns you can find some dishes based on cultivated mushrooms, red onions, fresh vegetables and exquisite salami.
Everything is seasoned with a lot of paprika (emblem of Calabria). Paprika is known as natural preservative, a form of disinfectant for the digestive system and more commonly known as a aphrodisiac......be warned though, it can be very hot, so make sure you have a large glass of water at hand in case of emergencies. Among many of the first courses you can avail of fileja, homemade pasta, served with various meat sauces and the legane ai ceci, another kind of pasta served with chickpeas.
We tell all our visitors to never leave Pizzo without experiencing the unforgettable local delicacy, n’duja. Which is made with pork meat and bacon fat mixed with a big quantity of paprika and transformed into a soft compound that you can spread over some fresh bread or it also makes an ideal pate.
Pizzo produces beautiful locally made red and white wine; it’s a steal at just €2 per litre bottle.
This Calabrian town is also famous for its tartufo, a special delicious kind of ice cream celebrated with a festival in Pizzo every August. A visit to a renowned ice cream parlor, Enrico's, situated in Marinella, is a must for all ice cream lovers.
History and Art
The village center offers some picturesque medieval perspectives, together with some historic townhouses belonging to different periods of time. Each building has a story to tell from just looking at their external walls and their beautifully distressed facade.
We advise you to visit Pizzo Castle it was commissioned by Ferdinand I of Aragon in 1400. Gioacchino Murat was imprisoned in the castle and his story can be told by many a local Calabrian.
Piedigrotta Church which is dug into tufa and San Giorgio Martire Church.
If you love nature, do not miss the terrace hills with a sea view in Pizzo, Vibo and Tropea. The local landscape is particularly beautiful, because the green wood’s of the Serre Massif contrasts with the golden beaches lapped by the sea. There are also two important parks: Mongiana Park (a regional park) and Serra San Bruno Park (a forestry park). Then there is an artificial lake, the Angitola, which is interesting for its micro climate.
We advise you to visit Pizzo Castle it was commissioned by Ferdinand I of Aragon in 1400. Gioacchino Murat was imprisoned in the castle and his story can be told by many a local Calabrian.
Piedigrotta Church which is dug into tufa and San Giorgio Martire Church.
If you love nature, do not miss the terrace hills with a sea view in Pizzo, Vibo and Tropea. The local landscape is particularly beautiful, because the green wood’s of the Serre Massif contrasts with the golden beaches lapped by the sea. There are also two important parks: Mongiana Park (a regional park) and Serra San Bruno Park (a forestry park). Then there is an artificial lake, the Angitola, which is interesting for its micro climate.
Events
April 23rd celebrates the festival of the patron saint, St. George. One of Pizzo’s main attractions is in fact the famous Baroque Church of San Giorgio (St. George’s Church) and the castle in which the French general Murat, an ex-king of Naples, was killed in 1815 after attempting to rouse the populace against the Bourbon kings.
Almost all of the town’s festivals are celebrated during the summer season, so if you are visiting Pizzo during the season of April until October, you can be almost guaranteed to witness a local festival while on vacation.
Also in the month of August is the local sea festival, the Palio di Diana and the Pizzo Culture Price.
In the nearby province of Vibo Valentia you can witness the festival of the patron, San Leoluca which occurs during the month of March.
Almost all of the town’s festivals are celebrated during the summer season, so if you are visiting Pizzo during the season of April until October, you can be almost guaranteed to witness a local festival while on vacation.
Also in the month of August is the local sea festival, the Palio di Diana and the Pizzo Culture Price.
In the nearby province of Vibo Valentia you can witness the festival of the patron, San Leoluca which occurs during the month of March.