Tropea - Santa Maria dell’Isola

A legend has it that the city was founded by Hercules when he returned from his work on the Pillars of Hercules.

The settlement has been the seat of a diocese since the 7th century. In 1094 a Latin clergyman succeeded the Greek bishops for the first time. Around 1000 Tropea developed into a prosperous city, favored by tax and administrative freedom.

In the 13th century, Tropea was rebuilt to its current state, on a rock overlooking the sea to protect it from Saracen incursions. Over the centuries, regular earthquakes caused severe damage on the city, causing the residents to rebuild the city on top of the ruins after each tremor.

In the 19th century, the city began to decline for a long time, which could only be reversed with the start of tourism. Today this is a seaside resort, and due to its location and the well-preserved old town, Tropea is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Calabria.

It is probable that the island's rock was inhabited by hermits already in the 6th century. They shut themselves off from the civilized world and devoted themselves to a contemplative and ascetic life. The first written references date back to the 11th century. For many years it belonged to the Basilian monks and from the 11th century, the Benedictine monks lived there. It was Robert Guiscard wanted the transition from the Greek to the Latin rite around 1060.

Very little of the original structure survived the earthquakes of 1783 and 1905. The staircase to get there was built around 1810. Restorations took place and today the basilica and the rock are still owned by the Benedictine abbey. But unfortunately, the building was closed.

More photos from Calabria you can find here
www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/album/1334344