VIBO VALENTIA
Vibo Valentina and Vibo Marina
Vibo Marina is a town in Calabria in southern Italy and part of Vibo Valentia, a town 11km inland from the marina. It is surrounded by green hills and backed by the Serre Mountains, Vibo Marina has around 10,000 inhabitants, and the harbour provides ferry services to the Aeolian Islands.
A brief history of Vibo Valentina and the marina
Agathocles, the tyrant of Syracuse, constructed Vibo Marina in the 3rd century BC and it was initially called Porto Santa Venere, or Saint Venus' Harbour because according to local legend, a local fisherman discovered a statue of Saint Venus on the shore. The name was changed to Vibo Marina in 1928 under Mussolini's Fascist government.
During the war, the Vibo Marina was a significant location, and on the 8th of September 1943, the allies landed at Vibo Marina intending to cut off as many German units as possible as they were expected to retreat from the main force of the British Commonwealth Eighth Army landings at the toe of Italy. There was fierce fighting, and in the end, the Nazis retreated. Today the town is an important industrial hub for the province thanks to the commercial and tourist petrol distribution at the harbour, tuna fishing and ferries to the Aeolian Islands.
Things to do in Vibo Valentina
There is the Museo Limen in Vibo Valentina, which is an art gallery housing many contemporary works, and local people created the gallery and museum, based around the idea of placing art and culture at the heart of sustainable economic development. If you enjoy a more adventurous type of sightseeing then check out Bivona Castle, not only is it quite hard to find hidden next to the road, it's also closed to the public and covered with overgrown vegetation. There is also the Grotta della Trisulina which are the remains of a Roman villa of the imperial age, of which a vaulted hypogeum is still standing.
Beaches around Vibo Valentina
Bivona Paradise Beach is close to the centre and has plenty of birdwatching and crystal clear waters. The beach is sandy and be sure to bring your umbrella. Spiaggia di Trainiti is also a closeby and has sand and rocks. If you have a car, just half an hour south along the coast is the magnificent Michelino Beach; there are steep stairs which lead you down to the beach, which has sand and turquoise waters.