Italian Courses in Tropea
Overview
Tropea, known as the “Pearl of the Tyrrenhian” in Italy, is a seaside resort town with impressive scenery in the country’s southernmost region, Calabria. This stretch of coastline is called the Costa degli Dei, the “Coast of the Gods,” and it is very much considered one of Italy’s finest summer holiday destinations. The coastline curves outwards to form a large hilly area, boasting dramatic cliffs, sunny beaches, and a string of smaller resorts and campsites. Tropea, with its historic center perched on cliffs above the sea, is the busiest and most attractive of these seaside towns.
Tropea itself is quite small and its cobbled streets are lined with old buildings made from golden colored stone. On a clear day, the volcanic island of Stromboli, accessible by boat, can be easily seen from the waterfront promenade. The town is full of bars, cafés, pizzerias, and small, affordable restaurants serving traditional local meals. Tropea is famous for its sweet red onions, which are known all over Italy and highly prized.
Language Schools and Camps in this Destination
Images of Calabria, Italy
Things to Do and See During a Vacation Study
The Beaches
Tropea’s 4 kilometers of pristine white sand beaches are among the cleanest and finest in Italy. Dramatic rock formations, cliffs, caves, and grottoes dot the coastline, holding ground against the sparkling, turquoise, Caribbean-like water. Tropea has both free, public and private beaches.
Santa Maria dell’Isola
Set high above Tropea’s beaches on a rocky promontory is the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola, a 6th-century Benedictine monastery. Earthquakes in 1783 and 1905 demolished the original buildings, and the church was rebuilt, giving it a newer look.
The Historical Center
The historical center of Tropea offers enchanting mazes of cobblestone, pedestrian-only streets lined with grand 17th- and 18th-century palazzi, restaurants, pizzerias, cafés, gelaterie, and artisan shops. Adding to the ambiance are the glimpses of the sea and Santa Maria dell’Isola between buildings.
Norman Cathedral
Tropea’s history is ancient, dating back 2000 years, but natural disasters and wars over the years have claimed countless town landmarks. One of the finest that is still standing is the Norman Cathedral with its vast Gothic portals in the historical center. The Cathedral’s main altar features a 4th-century painting of Tropea’s patron saint, the Madonna of Romania, who has been credited with saving the town many times.
Red Onions of Tropea
Tropea is famous for its red onion, the Cipolla Rossa di Tropea IGP (indicazione geografica protetta), which are sweet and delicate. They’re easy to find throughout Calabria, especially in the open-air markets.
Sailing and Mini Cruises
Calabria tends to be breezy year-round, which is perfect for sailing in the Tyrrhenian. There are several companies offering sailboat tours to Capo Vaticano and the Aeolian Islands, which generally stop at Lipari, Vulcano, and Stromboli.
Tropea Blues Festival
The Tropea Blues Festival taks place every September and features several international acts who perform in various scenic locations throughout the town. In addition to concerts, the festival includes cultural events and a jam session.
Chiesetta di Piedigrotta
Half an hour from Tropea, just outside of the neighboring town Pizzo, is a small church carved entirely from a natural cave beside the sea. The work was begun in the late 1800s by an artist from the town named Angelo Barone, and was continued by his son for 40 years after his father’s death, and by a relative of theirs in the late 1960s. The work involved enlarging the cave and carving statues from blocks of discarded stone. The carvings are of religious figures, an entire nativity scene, and profiles of John F. Kennedy and Pope John XXIII. The atmosphere inside the cave is mystic, and even by Italian standards, extraordinarily beautiful.
How to Arrive at your Language Course
By Plane
The fastest and most comfortable way to travel to Tropea is by plane. The largest airport in the Calabria region, Lamezia Terme, is only 60 km away from Tropea. Buses and taxis connect the airport to the Lamezia Terme train station, and the train journey to Tropea takes an hour.
By Train
Several trains offered by Trenitalia connect the main cities of Italy to some of the main seaside resorts of Calabria and the Calabrian Tyrrhenian coast, including Tropea. There are special Tropea lines in summer which involve fewer train changes from the large cities.
By Bus
Several bus companies offering a regular bus service from Rome.