About  .  Contact  .  Donation Originally established as the Greek colony Hipponion in the 7th century BCE Vibo Valentia was annexed by the Roman Republic in 194 BCE and renamed The recent excavations carried out in the S Aloe district within the Urban Archaeological Park have uncovered structures dating from the Late Republican Age (2nd-1st centuries BCE) to the Imperial Age (2nd-3rd centuries CE) The most striking findings include the remains of a Roman domus (private dwelling) The excavation project involved exploring thirty-two rooms on the ground floor and the foundation levels of the school building The foundation cables preserved the archaeological stratigraphy of the area allowing researchers to uncover significant earth fillings and structures beneath the building’s floor Thirteen of these rooms were particularly rich in artifacts and mural decorations One of the standout discoveries is a monumental bath complex the most significant being a fragmented statue of the goddess Artemis (Diana in Roman mythology) which has been transferred to the National Archaeological Museum “Vito Capialbi” in Vibo Valentia and is now part of a museum exhibition According to a press statement by the Superintendent of Archaeology Fine Arts and Landscape and the masonry techniques of architectural elements we uncovered allow us to date the site to a period between the Late Republican Age and the Imperial Age.” These discoveries not only enrich the historical and cultural heritage of Vibo Valentia but also represent a significant resource for the local community and potential cultural tourism The uncovered structures align with those discovered in the 1970s suggesting a continuation of the public/residential quarter previously explored The orientation of the newly found structures within the school coincides with the known archaeological landscape indicating that these newly unearthed remains are part of a broader urban sector of the ancient Municipium of Vibo Valentia Soprintendenza ABAP per la città di Reggio Calabria e Vibo Valentia and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()) Learn how to describe the purpose of the image (opens in a new tab) Leave empty if the image is purely decorative https://www.facebook.com/ilsindacoinforma2020 From 1 to 4 March 2025, Vibo Valentia will come alive with its traditional Carnival, offering four days of fun and merriment for young and old. Each day will be dedicated to different locations in the city, with a programme full of parades of masks, floats, shows and activities for all tastes. Street viewInterestedMultiple eventsArmonie D'Arte FestivalAug 2, 2024 Place of worshipVibo Valentia CastleVibo Valentia MuseumVibo Valentia Last update: Mar 4, 2025 6:01 AMContent owned by the Calabria Region | Tourism and Commerce Department issued under CC-BY License Download OFFICIAL TOURIST INFORMATION SITE © 2022 Calabria Region Tourism and Commerce Department LBV Magazine English Edition The Superintendency of Archaeology of the metropolitan city of Reggio Calabria and the province of Vibo Valentia announced the discovery of significant archaeological evidence belonging to the Roman phases of the city of Vibo Valentia (located in southern Italy) During the seismic retrofitting works of the “P.E thirty-two rooms on the ground floor as well as the building’s foundation levels were excavated significant earth fillings were brought to light preserved by the building’s foundation cables which in some cases kept the area’s archaeological stratigraphy intact Thirteen of these rooms were of great interest as numerous findings and mural artifacts were found in them The excavations revealed remains of structures attributable to both domus (private residences) and buildings of probable public use which were part of an important urban sector of the Municipium of Vibo Valentia the structures belonging to a bath complex and It was lined with precious colored marbles and inserted within a monumental room decorated with niches recently transferred to the National Archaeological Museum “Vito Capialbi” of Vibo Valentia and among them is a valuable marble statue of the goddess Artemis already included in a museum itinerary inaugurated a few months ago and masonry techniques used allow dating the discoveries to a period between the late Republican era (2nd-1st centuries BC) and the Imperial era (2nd-3rd centuries AD) The findings are located near the domus and thermal buildings known for the mosaics discovered since the 1970s The orientation of the structures found within the school aligns with that of the already known structures likely making them a natural continuation of the public/residential neighborhood already partially investigated These discoveries result from the close collaboration between the Superintendency and the Municipal Administration which has characterized conservation activities in the area for years A synergy that allowed the works to be carried out without interruptions reconciling the needs for structural adaptation of the school building with the protection and conservation of the discovered archaeological assets The results obtained not only enrich the historical and cultural heritage of the city of Vibo Valentia but also represent an important resource for the community and a potential attraction for cultural tourism Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email The Parthenon temple on the Acropolis of Athens housed a colossal statue made of gold and ivory carved by the famous sculptor Phidias in 438 BC Two thousand years before the Inca Empire extended its dominion over the Andes a much less known yet culturally influential society—known as the Chavín Phenomenon—had already developed numerous artistic expressions,… while the Byzantine Empire was mired in a succession crisis sought to take advantage and launched his conquest Archaeologists from universities in the United States and Denmark found deep within the Actun Uayazba Kab cave in Belize two small stone tools dated between 250 and 900 AD that… men and women gathered to play a game called Cuju A team of researchers has succeeded in recreating for the first time in a laboratory experiment a phenomenon that until now only existed as a theory in the realm of… the Cantonal Archaeology of Aargau carried out a rescue excavation between early May 2024 and the end of March 2025 The Egyptian archaeological mission affiliated with the Supreme Council of Antiquities announced the discovery of a group of defensive structures and a system of moats that could indicate… In the southeastern area of the city of Rome archaeologists excavating inside the Triton Baths within the monumental complex of the Villa di Sette… Why did some animals from ancient eras become fossils while others simply disappeared without a trace Receive our news and articles in your email for free You can also support us with a monthly subscription and receive exclusive content You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed and Landscape for Reggio Calabria and Vibo ValentiaRemnants of the Roman pool lined with colored marble and Landscape for Reggio Calabria and Vibo Valentia announced the discovery of an ornamental bath complex under a school in southern Italy Excavations of the ground floor and foundation of the P.E Murmura school in Vibo Valentia revealed evidence of ancient Roman buildings just beneath the structure Archaeologists ultimately unearthed a massive swimming pool alongside dozens of artifacts dating back 2,000 years and Landscape for Reggio Calabria and Vibo ValentiaRuins of a column at the site recently underwent renovations to carry out seismic upgrades that involved excavating much of the ground floor Archaeologists excavated 32 rooms as well as the building’s foundation the ruins of an ancient Roman bath complex emerged archaeologists found ancient artifacts and masonry They dated many of the relics to the Late Republic (200 B.C.E to 27 B.C.E.) and early Imperial Rome (27 B.C.E experts are working to determine how the bath complex fit into ancient Vibo Valentia’s society and Landscape for Reggio Calabria and Vibo ValentiaThe ruins of a Roman statue of Diana (Artemis) discovered at the site Archaeologists believe the bath complex was part of a larger network of Roman structures that were uncovered in the area in the 1970s These include both private residences (domus) and public facilities such as the pool the bathhouse would have served as an important feature in the city of Vibo Valentia “The findings are located near domus and thermal buildings, known for mosaics discovered from the 1970s of the last century,” the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape for Reggio Calabria and Vibo Valentia explained in a Facebook post “The orientation of the restored structures within the school coincides with that of the already known structures a natural proceeding of the public/residential quarter that is already partially investigated.” Researchers also discovered many artifacts in and around the bath complex but the most important find was a fragmented statue of the goddess Diana Archaeologists have already sent the marble figure to Vibo Valentia’s National Archaeological Museum “Vito Capialbi,” where it is currently on exhibition this most recent discovery has added to Vibo Valentia’s ancient legacy and serves as a reminder of the history that is often right below our feet “The results not only enrich the historical and cultural heritage of the city of Vibo Valentia but also represent an important resource for the community and a potential attraction for cultural tourism,” officials stated After reading about the ancient Roman swimming pool discovered beneath a school in southern Italy, dive into the story of Marcus Junius Brutus, the Roman senator who orchestrated Julius Caesar’s death. Then, read about Caesarion Important archaeological discovery in Vibo Valentia: the Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio for the metropolitan city of Reggio Calabria and the province of Vibo Valentia in collaboration with the Vibo Valentia Municipal Administration has in fact recently announced some relevant findings in the Sant’Aloe district within the Vibo Valentia Urban Archaeological Park The findings emerged during seismic upgrading works at the “P.E under the supervision of the Superintendency and the scientific coordination of Dr Michele Mazza.The recently concluded excavation operations involved the foundation levels of the school building exploring thirty-two rooms on the ground floor thirteen rooms yielded a large number of finds and wall artifacts of considerable archaeological interest The investigations revealed remains of structures attributable to both domus (private dwellings) and public buildings Among the most important discoveries is a bath complex The pool was covered with precious colored marble and set in a monumental environment decorated with marble niches From the room containing the bath tub come the most significant finds recently transferred to the National Archaeological Museum “Vito Capialbi” in Vibo Valentia Prominent among them is a marble statue of the goddess Artemis which is now on display in a museum tour inaugurated a few months ago The stratigraphy investigated and the materials collected allow the discoveries to be dated to a period between the late Republican Age (2nd-1st century B.C.) and the Imperial Age (2nd-3rd century A.D.) The structures found align with those already known in the neighborhood as they are probably a continuation of the public/residential quarter already partially explored since the 1970s The discovery is the result of collaboration between the Superintendency and the Municipal Administration which allowed the work to be conducted without interruption reconciling the needs for structural adjustment of the school building with the protection of archaeological heritage The results obtained enrich the historical and cultural heritage of Vibo Valentia and represent an important resource for the community involved the firm Cipullo Nicola srl and Limes Società Cooperativa of Ravenna and was supervised by archaeologists Fabio Lico and Manuel Zinnà From 7 December to 6 January, Vibo Valentia will transform into a magical Christmas village, ready to welcome everyone with a poster full of events. This Christmas will be beautiful, colorful, shiny and cozy. From the magic of the lights to entertainment shows for children, concerts, performances and much more. Every corner of the city will be animated by music, food and laughter, with an eye always on the traditions of Vibon. Discover the majestic beauty of the Christmas trees scattered around the city, illuminating winter nights and creating a fairy-tale atmosphere. Walking through the streets of Vibo Valentia, you can admire the handmade cribs that tell the story of the Nativity through the eyes of local artists. Get lost among the stalls of the markets will be a journey between typical products, local crafts and many unique gift ideas. A perfect opportunity to find the special gift for your loved ones. Don’t miss the chance to experience the most Vibonese Christmas ever! Between tradition and modernity, Vibo Valentia awaits you to give you many moments of fun, joy and entertainment.  MuseumVibo Valentia Last update: Jan 6, 2025 6:00 AMContent owned by the Calabria Region | Tourism and Commerce Department issued under CC-BY License Specially built courtroom in Calabria heard evidence of ruthless tactics of ’Ndrangheta crime syndicate An Italian court has convicted and sentenced more than 200 people of crimes including criminal association extortion and bribery in what has been described as Italy’s largest mafia trial in three decades The verdicts mark the end of a three-year “maxi trial” held in a high-security courtroom in the southern Calabria region built specifically to hold up to 350 defendants accommodate 400 lawyers and hear from the 900 witnesses providing testimony against an extensive network of members belonging to the notorious ’Ndrangheta Although more than 100 individuals were acquitted by the court in Lamezia Terme the sentencing represents one of the most significant blows to date against the powerful organised crime syndicate which enjoys a near-monopoly on the European cocaine trade Almost all of the defendants were arrested in December 2019 after a lengthy investigation that began in 2016 and covered at least 11 Italian regions. About 2,500 officers participated in raids focused on suspects in Vibo Valentia the heart of an area controlled mainly by the ’Ndrangheta’s Mancuso clan arrested several suspects hiding in bunkers located behind sliding staircases hidden trapdoors and maintenance-hole covers local councillors and businessmen accused of aiding the mafia were also arrested in Germany The former Forza Italia MP Giancarlo Pittelli was given a jail term of 11 years by a court for aiding a mafia clan an anti-mafia prosecutor who led the investigation told the Guardian at the time of the raids that it was the biggest operation against the crime syndicates since the 1986-92 Palermo maxi trials when Sicilian prosecutors put 475 people in the dock View image in fullscreenAlmost all of the defendants were arrested in December 2019 after a lengthy investigation that began in 2016 and covered at least 11 Italian regions Photograph: Valeria Ferraro/APFor the trial Gratteri’s team had collected 24,000 wiretaps and intercepted conversations to back up their charges Investigators provided extensive evidence of the ruthless and oppressive tactics employed by the ’Ndrangheta in its control over the local community who was nominated Naples’s chief prosecutor this year We have finally demonstrated that there was a network of white-collar workers and politicians doing business with the Calabrian clans.” Most of those sentenced on Monday announced they would appeal against their convictions View image in fullscreenThe high-security courtroom in Calabria was built specifically to hold up to 350 defendants accommodate 400 lawyers and hear from the 900 witnesses providing testimony Photograph: Valeria Ferraro/APLuigi “The Supreme” Mancuso was removed from the list of defendants last year to face a separate trial all eyes were on his nephew Emanuele Mancuso, who revealed the clan’s secrets after accepting police protection the deputy chief prosecutor of the Calabrian capital said: “The clans of Vibo Valentia are rooted in every aspect of life and the economic and social fabric of the province This sentence demonstrates it and shows the absolute power of the Mancuso clan.” At one time derided by the Sicilian Cosa Nostra and the Campanian Camorra mafias the ’Ndrangheta is by far the most powerful criminal group in Italy and one of the richest in the world A study by the Demoskopita Research Institute in 2013 estimated it was more financially powerful than Deutsche Bank and McDonald’s combined the secret of its success lies in the extent to which it is embedded in Calabria Bosses rarely abandon their remote villages despite running global operations worth millions they build escape tunnels under their houses sophisticated bunkers in mountains reachable only on foot and hideouts in the woods for when they are on the run a small slip of paper used by the mafia for top-level communications containing a quote from three 17th-century knights who the Camorra in Campania and the ’Ndrangheta in Calabria Despite living like hermits hidden in the Calabrian mountains ’Ndrangheta bosses are capable of laundering millions of euros from the drugs trade through shell companies the clans of the ’Ndrangheta are characterised by deep blood relations made this organisation virtually impenetrable Museo Archeologico Nazionale Vito Capialbi, Vibo Valentia - Regione Calabria +39 0963 43350The National Archaeological Museum "Vito Capialbi" is based, since 1969, in a wing of the Norman-Swabian Castle. The exhibition follows a chronological and topographical path, and includes materials from the surrounding towns, enriched by some nineteenth and twentieth century collections donated by local scholars. The Museum is divided into four main sections: findings from sacred buildings, from the necropolis, from private collections and materials of the Roman period.  Street viewDiscover more on Vibo ValentiaAroundPlace of worshipVibo Valentia Historical buildingVibo Valentia Last update: Feb 5, 2025 11:02 AMContent owned by the Calabria Region | Tourism and Commerce Department issued under CC-BY License On 30 November 2024, the historic Palazzo Gagliardi in Vibo Valentia will be the setting for the Vibo Film Festival, an event celebrating cinema, culture and local flavours. The day will include moments dedicated to film screenings, meetings with directors and actors, exhibitions and activities combining art and tradition. Scheduled appointments include the screening of the film Il Vuoto (The Void), followed by a talk with the director, producer and cast, as well as the presentation of the David di Donatello-winning short films Fuligine and Bismillah, accompanied by interviews and a special award ceremony as ‘Excellence Vibonese’. The event will be enriched by a musical intervention and a show cooking dedicated to the traditional dish ‘Tappatumi’. The two exhibitions set up, one dedicated to the film material of Ciakalabria and the other, Opera Sacra, with blow-ups depicting significant moments of cultural events, will offer a space for reflection on local art and traditions. The day will end with a festive Movie Party, perfect for celebrating cinema in a convivial and engaging atmosphere. Street viewInterestedCinema and Video Magna Graecia Film FestivalJul 27 - 4 Aug Apr 27 - 30 Dec other dates: May 11, 2025, Jun 1, 2025, Jun 15, 2025, Jul 4, 2025, Jul 18, 2025, Aug 1, 2025, Aug 22, 2025, Sep 5, 2025, Sep 19, 2025, Oct 19, 2025, Nov 16, 2025, Nov 26, 2025, Dec 26, 2025 and Dec 30, 2025 Last update: Nov 30, 2024 6:00 AMContent owned by the Calabria Region | Tourism and Commerce Department issued under CC-BY License among the most beautiful city streetsLiving slow The days for shopping and sales in Calabria can be transformed into an opportunity to visit the historic centres of Calabria's main cities A stroll along the avenues of the festively decorated cities makes shopping and the Calabrian sales rush a pleasant experience alternating a stop in front of the shop windows with a taste of a Calabrian Christmas dessert or a visit to the museums in the centre is a riot of shops and elegant shop windows immersed in the authentic atmosphere of sales in Calabria large international chains and historic bakeries it is possible to visit the Cathedral and the Aragonese Castle the "Cilea" Theatre with its adjoining Municipal Art Gallery and the National Archaeological Museum housing the Riace Bronze Statues all located along the splendid promenade parallel to the Via Marina If you start from Cosenza the main street for shopping is certainly Corso Mazzini Corso Mazzini offers a great variety of shops: from big international brands to tailor-made boutiques Here, the sales rush in Calabria turns into a walk through art. The area, in fact, is a pedestrian precinct embellished by the conspicuous collection of contemporary art sculptures that make up the MAB - Bilotti Open-Air Museum one of the first en plein air museums in southern Italy Corso Mazzini also offers a sampling of traditional Cosenza pastries and other typical delicacies a pasticciotto filled with chocolate and almonds or the ever-present Fichi Dottati di Cosenza PDO chocolate-covered figs The sales atmosphere in Catanzaro can also be felt inside the Mancuso Gallery offers shoppers a cosy and sheltered space Not to be missed is a gourmet stop at the historic Caffè Imperiale reopened to the public after a long closure A symbol of the city's elegance and culture since 1892 this café boasts a remarkable history and is the perfect stop between shopping trips amidst small squares and historical venues such as the centrally located Bar Roma (1912) the main street hosts a number of historic venues and outdoor events throughout the year In Reggio Calabria https://calabriastraordinaria.it/en/news/shopping-and-sales-streets-in-calabria You might be interested inLiving slowNight of San Lorenzo: where to see shooting stars in Calabria2024-08-09 14:36:21 TheaterCatanzaro MuseumCosenza MuseumLamezia Terme MuseumReggio di Calabria MuseumLamezia Terme Point of interestCatanzaro MuseumCosenza Last update: Feb 28, 2025 9:04 AMContent owned by the Calabria Region | Tourism and Commerce Department issued under CC-BY License Get quality reporting directly into your inbox initiated by the Catanzaro Anti-Mafia District Directorate against the Vibonese (from Vibo Valentia Calabria) 'Ndrangheta and its affiliates was held in a specially built bunker room in the city of Lamezia Terme The prosecution was led by former Catanzaro prosecutor Nicola Gratteri who is now the Naples prosecutor and is known for his long fight against 'Ndrangheta led to the arrests of such prominent figures as lawyer and former Italian parliamentarian Giancarlo Pittelli a former Carabiniere (Italian police force) lieutenant colonel According to Euronews others convicted included the former commander of the Vibo Valentia municipal police force who was sentenced to four years; and lawyer Francesco Stilo a former marshal with the Anti-Mafia Investigation Division Other sentences include five years and six months for former Vibo Carabinieri operations department's select deputy Antonio Ventura and a year and six months for former regional councilor Pietro Giamborino The trial revealed the extensive influence of the Vibonese 'Ndrangheta and its internal conflicts which have led to a wave of violence and numerous casualties The investigation also shed light on the involvement of Masonic lodges in Vibo Valentia which had established connections with the Mancuso clan a prominent 'Ndrangheta crime syndicate The trial was one of the largest ever held of organized crime in Italy involving more than 400 lawyers and 900 witnesses The 'Ndrangheta is “not only Italy’s most powerful mafia but also one of the largest and most sophisticated criminal organizations in the world,” according to an OCCRP analysis “It has a dominant position on the European cocaine market due to excellent relations with the producers [and] reproduces abroad perfect copies of its operational structures [...] [It] has repeatedly proven its skill in infiltrating political and economic environments and its remarkable capacity for corruption.” Support from readers like you helps OCCRP expose organized crime and corruption around the world you’ll be directly supporting investigative journalism as a public good You’ll also gain access to exclusive insights and benefits The Cacciatori unit searches the rugged landscape of Calabria for fugitives who have dug themselves deep into the earth On the slopes of the Aspromonte mountains a man known as the Pablo Escobar of the Calabrian mafia built a secret bunker whose entrance was the mouth of a pizza oven Less than 10 miles away, Ernesto Fazzalari, who allegedly enjoyed trap shooting with the heads of his decapitated victims, lived in a 10 square-metre hideout in the formidable southern Italian range. When authorities came for him in 2004, Fazzalari then the second most-wanted mafia boss after Matteo Messina Denaro of the Sicilian Cosa Nostra had already escaped through a secret tunnel under the kitchen sink View image in fullscreenThe Commander Milo Aveni photographed at the Carabinieri barracks in Vibo Valentia Photograph: Alessio Mamo/The GuardianBefore his eventual arrest in 2016 Fazzalari spent 20 years as a fugitive in the Calabrian mountains where the wanted men of the ’Ndrangheta have for decades planned and built elaborate mirror cities underneath their villages It is a literal underworld of bunkers located behind sliding staircases hidden trapdoors and manholes linked by endless tunnels that merge and separate leading to escape routes among the sewer system or amid the brambles of a dry river bed To smoke them out of their holes the Italian authorities formed a special military unit composed of elite and highly trained soldiers known as the Carabinieri Heliborne Squadron The Cacciatori have in the last 25 years arrested almost 300 fugitives whose mugshots are now displayed like trophies on a large bulletin board in a room in their headquarters described by investigators as “works of superior engineering” View image in fullscreenList of fugitives at the Carabinieri barracks in Vibo Valentia captured from 1992 by Squadrone Carabinieri Eliportato ‘Cacciatori Calabria’ Photograph: Alessio Mamo/The GuardianThe unit was originally founded in 1991 with the intent of fighting a crime at that time widespread across Calabria: kidnapping “But over time that phenomenon almost disappeared,” Major Carmelo Aveni “Another criminal emergency took hold: old ’Ndrangheta bosses At one time derided by the Sicilian and Campanian mafias, today the ’Ndrangheta is by far the most powerful criminal group in Italy and one of the richest in the world. A study by the Demoskopita Research Institute in 2013 estimated that it was more financially powerful than Deutsche Bank and McDonald’s combined the secret of its success lies in its deep embeddedness in Calabria To protect themselves they build escape tunnels under their houses sophisticated bunkers in mountains that are reachable only on foot and hideouts in the woods for when they are on the run View image in fullscreenThe Squadrone Carabinieri Eliportato of Calabria during a night mission in a bunker house where a most wanted fugitive was able to escape in 2004 and captured in June 2016 Photograph: Alessio Mamo/The Guardian“If we were going to arrest them we needed well-trained men able to climb steep mountains jump off a moving helicopter; not to mention the ability to withstand cold and hunger for days while monitoring the movements of a suspected fugitive,” says Aveni “And they needed to do all of this in the dark given that we often carry out our work at night.” the Cacciatori are equipped with machine guns night vision goggles and bulletproof vests View image in fullscreenA sniper with night vision telescopic view sights the entrance of the main door of a bunker house during a night mission Photograph: Alessio Mamo/The Guardian“At first sight the bosses’ homes seem completely normal,” says Aveni “Nothing would lead you to believe that there are tunnels or an underground bunker Then you begin to inspect every nook and cranny of the house: walls We have even found walls wired to an electrical device A person can barely fit through and must slither like a snake to move Some are 300 metres long and often lead to sewers connected to other houses.” View image in fullscreenThe mountains of the Aspromonte national park Calabria Photograph: Werner Otto/Alamy StockFazzalari’s bunker in the Aspromonte national park had a television weapons and sacred images of saints and the Madonna The Cacciatori have sometimes found copies of Italy’s penal code The list of fugitives of the ’Ndrangheta is constantly updated, sometimes monthly. Arrested bosses are often superseded by their sons, cousins and even their wives. The latest entry is Francesco Pelle, ’Ndrangheta boss from San Vito when Pelle learned that he had been sentenced to life in prison for murders Aveni prefers not to discuss the case while his men search for him Not all the fugitive mobsters use bunkers and tunnels, some turn to nature itself as a shield. Girolamo Facchineri, 53, who was arrested in March 2018 Reachable only after crossing several rivers with an all-terrain vehicle and then hiking through trails and steep slopes for 40 minutes Facchineri had lived there for two years in solitude in a forest inhabited by wolves and wild boar View image in fullscreenThe kitchen of the bunk house of a fugitive who was able to escape in 2004 and captured in June 2016 Photograph: Alessio Mamo/The GuardianIs it worth it to build a criminal empire worth millions and then live like a rat it is this mindset that gives the ’Ndrangheta its strength “Sacrificing one’s life for the sake of the criminal family has a dual effect,” says the chief prosecutor of Catanzaro who could capitalise on his absence from the territory in order to take control of it it sends a message to investigators: ‘I’m still here and you won’t find me.’” when the boss was making his morning coffee he was sitting on a chair sipping his espresso,” a member of the Cacciatori who took part in the mission told the Guardian “He complimented us and told us we were very competent in having located him.” View image in fullscreenPart of the tool room of the Squadrone Carabinieri Eliportato at the barracks of Vibo Valentia lastly Vibo Valentia: three names for a provincial capital suspended between history and contemporaneity Follow us on an enthralling urban trek through the streets of Vibo Valentia which from the scenic top of the castle and the ancient the ancient Porto Santa Venere (today Vibo Marina) Provincial capital and capital of the so-called Serre Vibonesi also known as the Regional Natural Park of the Serre the city of Vibo Valentia is located halfway up a hill offering visitors the right mix of mountains and sea as well as the richness of a historical centre waiting to be discovered made up of cultural and archaeological stratifications spanning some 8,000 years as well as a strategic position offering it a natural outlet to the Tyrrhenian Sea and a mountain outpost today's Vibo Valentia was central to both Greece and Rome The Neolithic phase of the city is revealed in the findings of the Western Necropolis of Hipponion the name of the Greek colony founded by Locri Epizefiri in the mid 7th century BC it became a colony under Latin law with the name Valentia and then officially Vibo Valentia (as Strabo and Pliny the Elder called it) Valentia flourished thanks to its strategic harbour the same one in the Marina of Vibo from which mini-cruises to the Aeolian Islands depart today which can be glimpsed from here during the evocative fiery sunsets now home to the "Vito Capialbi" National Archaeological Museum is the starting point for a historical-archaeological itinerary that reviews the salient moments of the events of Vibonese antiquity (and not only) through precious artefacts the parade weapons of the Hipponian aristocracy and numerous statuettes of Persephone and Demeter Having become a fief of the Caracciolo family under Fascism and on the initiative of the deputy Luigi Razza the city was renamed Monteleone di Calabria before returning to Vibo Valentia and becoming the capital in the 1990s Descending the hill towards the historical centre a delightful maze of alleyways leads to the most important aristocratic buildings and religious ones: the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore and San Leoluca and the Renaissance Church of San Michele Arcangelo Vibo Valentia is home to an important annual literary festival linked to the Sistema Bibliotecario Vibonese The Vibo Valentia festival dedicated to books takes place every year and includes daily events for young and old: meetings with writers book signings and workshops for schools and children the city and the entire province offer a series of dishes and foods that rank among the Calabrian agrifood excellences 'Nduja di Spilinga and the renowned Red Onion of Tropea PGI The city offers several gourmet restaurants (Michelin) serving recipes based on fresh local fish fried Christmas sweets made from chickpea flour and filled with chocolate and dried fruit Lovers of excursions and outdoor sports activities can indulge themselves from the sea to the mountains from boat trips along the spectacular Costa degli Dei to mountain trekking in the Serre and on Monte Poro Among the folkloristic and religious events not to be missed are those linked to Holy Week https://calabriastraordinaria.it/en/news/trip-to-vibo-valentia-from-ancient-hipponion-to-today You might be interested inArt and CultureTrip to Morano Calabro, among The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy2025-01-30 14:49:22 Last update: Feb 15, 2024 11:03 AMContent owned by the Calabria Region | Tourism and Commerce Department issued under CC-BY License Latest UpdatesCountries Why Join?IL MagazineFree Daily E-LetterVideoOur ExpertsTestimonialsFAQsTopics unto Italian independence in the mid-19th century Calabria offers places of beauty and historic interest varied physical activities for all age groups and an outstanding community spirit in its towns and villages Thanks to considerable infrastructure investment in recent decades Calabria is poised to welcome foreign visitors The region is accessible from airports at Lamezia as well as Reggio Calabria Calabria is best explored by car though train lines run along the coast and cross inland via the two major cities of Cosenza and Catanzaro Raganello is a protected natural area over 3,953 acres in the Pollino National Park in northern Calabria Pollino is one of three national parks in Calabria and is spread among 56 towns and villages Among those is the charming hill town of Morano Calabro At the Raganello canyon you can walk along the valleys and streams enjoying the multi-colored rocks offers a festival of entertainment from music and dance to fashion parades in early August Cetraro hosts a fanfare of sports competitions between the town districts preceded by processions and food fairs hosted by the competitors For the more spiritually minded religious festivals take place throughout the year Calabria’s extensive coastline and pleasant climate makes sailing a pleasure There are 12 marinas located evenly along both coasts Vibo Valentia is among the best sailing ports in Italy Vibo has berths and excellent facilities for 90 yachts including dock areas for all types of boat it is possible to charter a yacht and learn to sail It is an hour or so by car from Calabria’s main airport Tropea’s economy is well prepared for tourism from June to September and camping facilities in and around the historic center located below a magnificent cliff and an island sanctuary have been voted among the most beautiful in Europe it is worth visiting the Aeolian Islands about 60 miles or a three-hour boat-ride from the ports of Reggio and Vibo Valentia This archipelago consists of eight islands over 52 sq Lipari is the nearest and largest island with four villages and an archaeological museum The neighboring islands of Stromboli and Vulcano are actively volcanic The Aeolian Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site hosts one of the best examples of Byzantine churches in Italy It is said that the four Greek columns in the church were carried by young maidens through divine intervention Stilo is also home to the well-preserved ruins of an 11th century Norman castle reminding us that southern Italy was once under their rule Stilo is one of 13 towns in Calabria which enjoys special Italian Tourism Council status Calabria’s foremost museum is home to important artefacts mainly from the Magna Graecia (Greater Greece) era in the 4th to 8th centuries BC Preeminent is the world renowned two meter tall statues of Greek warriors dating from 450 BC and discovered by chance just off the coast at Riace in 1972 stroll its famous promenade and visit the Aragonese castle Calabria’s formative cultural influence was ancient Greece Its major colonies were located along the Ionian Sea coast of Calabria they are represented by archaeological sites and museums displaying ancient houses Travelling from the south is the major town of Locri and just north of that is Caulonia and Scylletium which was the most important city in Europe famous for doctors Furthest north is the rich colony of Sybaris The English word sybaritic or opulent luxury is derived from the city’s name Calabria is famed for its production of porcini mushrooms Calabria’s cuisine is typically a mixture of pork Local desserts are honey sweetened pastries and baked treats Other specialties are Provolone and Pecorino cheeses Calabria is also lauded for its red and white wines Every Calabrian community is host to restaurants catering for diverse international tastes Three of the region’s Michelin rated restaurants can be found in and around the city of Catanzaro It may be unexpected to go skiing in a region where temperatures average over 86 F in summer Calabria offers four skiing locations mainly in the central Sila Mountains as well as Aspromonte is just over an hour’s drive east further inland from the city of Cosenza It offers the four highest slopes at 1405 to 1877 meters over 12 miles up to advanced level these resorts provide an Alpine style setting of wild flowers Fun and Interesting Facts About Italy Lecce: The Florence of the South An Insider’s Guide: Best Things to Do in Tuscany This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page – The Italian judiciary on Monday sentenced more than 200 people for belonging to or collaborating with the Calabrian ‘Ndrangheta mafia one of the most violent and powerful criminal organizations in the world of whom 208 were convicted and 131 were acquitted or benefited from the statute of limitations on the crimes This verdict concludes the first phase of the largest trial against the Italian Mafia since the historic one in Palermo (south) in 1986 which brought to justice more than 460 criminals of the Sicilian Cosa Nostra Among those sentenced to 11 years in prison on Monday was the former deputy of Berlusconi’s Forza Italia accused of collaborating with this criminal organization and of having political ties with the Mancuso clan was also sentenced to two and a half years and the former commander of the Vibo Valentia City Guard The most severe sentences were handed down to Saverio Razionale the reputed boss of the San Gregorio d’Ipona area for whom the prosecution had requested 20 years in prison This trial opened in January 2021 as a result of the so-called Operation Rinascita-Scott which in 2019 saw the arrest of more than 400 people in Italy Bulgaria and Switzerland linked to the ‘Ndrangheta The defendants are charged with membership in a mafia organization illegal possession of weapons and explosives The trial is aimed at decapitating the powerful ‘Ndrangheta clans and for security reasons the hearings in this nearly three-year trial have been held in a bunker built in an industrial park in the Calabrian city of Lamezia Terme The Italian authorities chose to hold the trial in the region where this criminal organization operates the “Tip of the Italian Boot,” to send a message of the strength and presence of the State At the center of the investigation is the “‘ndrina” or Mancuso clan considered by researchers as one of the most powerful and influential families of the ‘Ndrangheta and true authority in the Calabrian province of Vibo Valentia celebrated the verdict and warned that until the operation practically nothing and no one escaped the shadow of the ‘Ndrangheta in this province “The presence of the criminal organization in the province was so deep-rooted alarming and disturbing that I believe it can be said that there was no area of life that was not conditioned by the intimidation of such a dangerous organization,” he told the media another 70 sentences were handed down to defendants who had opted for the abbreviated rite a procedure in which the judicial debate phase is waived in exchange for a significant reduction in the sentence The ‘Ndrangheta is a multinational criminal organization that in recent years has surpassed in power the other classic criminal organizations in Italy such as Cosa Nostra or the Neapolitan Camorra With the impenetrable mountains of Calabria it was long underestimated as a small criminal organization confined to its territory it grew and spread its tentacles throughout the world the ‘Ndrangheta is the most powerful mafia in Italy and one of the wealthiest in the world according to experts such as prosecutor Nicola Gratteri the father of the operation that led to this trial Italy - 12 March 2021 - As part of the Extraordinary Visitation to the Southern Italy Province (IME) visited the “Don Bosco” Salesian Youth Center-Oratory of Vibo Valentia on 12 and 13 March ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007 This site also uses third-party cookies to improve user experience and for statistical purposes By scrolling through this page or by clicking on any of its elements Italy's 'Ndrangheta organised crime syndicate is one of the world's most powerful News | World More than 200 gang members have been convicted and sentenced to a total of 2,100 years behind bars after one of Italy's largest mafia trials A total of 338 people were accused of being part of Italy's 'Ndrangheta gang, with the trial ongoing since January 2021 Some 67 defendants were already found guilty after opting for a speedy trial The organised crime syndicate is one of the world's most powerful and wealthy drug-trafficking groups It is the only mafia to be active in every continent is said to control 80 per cent of Europe's cocaine trade and makes an annual revenue of around £52 billion The trial was aimed at securing convictions and sentences based on alleged acts of collusion among mobsters and local politicians public officials and businessmen to show how deeply rooted the syndicate is in Calabria The accused faced drug and arms trafficking charges as well as charges of extortion and mafia association - a term in Italy for members of organised crime groups Others were charged with being complicit with the 'Ndrangheta without actually being a member "The relevance (of this trial) is enormous," Italian lawmaker and former anti-mafia chief prosecutor Federico Cafiero De Raho told The Associated Press because every trial against the 'ndrangheta gives a very significant message to the territory "But it has repercussions also at a European and world level because the 'ndrangheta is one of the strongest organisations in the world able to manage the international traffic of narcotics as well as many other activities," he added Among those convicted was Ex-Forza Italia MP Giancarlo Pittelli who received 11 years for being a mafia go-between Shirley Ballas: Nothing is going to dampen Strictly’s 20th anniversary Man accused of murdering mother at Notting Hill Carnival to stand trial next year Ex-Strictly star Giovanni Pernice announces he is joining Italian dancing show Make more of London this autumn with these exciting experiences The trial started almost three years ago in the southern Calabria region where the mob organisation was originally based The organisation also has bases in North and South America and is active in Africa, Italian prosecutors maintain and 'ndrangheta figures have been arrested in recent years around Europe and in Brazil and Lebanon The trial took place in a specially constructed high-security bunker The charges grew out of an investigation of 12 clans linked to a convicted 'ndrangheta boss served 19 years in Italian prison for his role in leading what investigators allege is one of the 'ndrangheta's most powerful crime families Several dozen informants in the case came from the 'ndrangheta, while others formerly belonged to Sicily's Cosa Nostra car dealerships and other businesses throughout Italy especially in Rome and the country's affluent north The buying spree spread across Europe as the syndicate sought to launder illicit revenues but also to make "clean" money by running legitimate businesses including in the tourism and hospitality sectors "Arrests allow their activities to be halted for a time but the investigations determine the need for further investigations each time," Mr Cafiero De Raho said the trial wasn't Italy's biggest one involving alleged mobsters 475 alleged members of the Sicilian Mafia went on trial in a similarly constructed bunker in Palermo The proceedings resulted in more than 300 convictions and 19 life sentences That trial helped reveal many of the brutal methods and murderous strategies of the island's top mob bosses Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in major blow for Putin ahead of Victory Day celebrations Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in blow for Putin VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer New visa crackdown as Home Office plans to restrict applications from nationalities most likely to overstay New visa crackdown as Home Office plans to restrict applications worst and wackiest looks on the red carpet — Rihanna worst and wackiest looks on the red carpet The Local Europe ABVästmannagatan 43113 25 StockholmSweden had been wanted by Italian police since November 2018 after he escaped an arrest warrant for homicide and mafia association issued by a magistrate in Calabria He was arrested on Thursday morning in the northern port city of Genoa Italy's carabinieri police said in a statement Local media said he had been leaving the city's cathedral when arrested and was carrying a fake ID Bonavota is considered the brains of the 'Ndrangheta's Bonavota clan based in the Sant'Onofrio area of the Calabrian province of Vibo Valentia The clan also operates around Rome and in the northern regions of Piedmont and Liguria The 'Ndrangheta is Italy's most powerful and wealthy mafia controlling the bulk of cocaine flowing into Europe and currently operating in more than 40 countries around the world READ ALSO: 'Very violent': How Italy’s youngest mafia is terrorising the Puglia region It has successfully expanded well beyond its traditional domains of drug trafficking and loan sharking now using shell companies and frontmen to reinvest illegal gains in the legitimate economy Bonavota went on the run just after being sentenced by a lower court to life in prison for the murders of a lower-ranking member of his own clan and the rival boss of a nearby clan That sentence was overturned by an appeals court in 2021 Bonavota was the last remaining fugitive suspect in the massive case against the Vibo Valentia 'Ndrangheta that led to the 2021 maxi-trial against more than 300 alleged mafia members and their helpers Bonavota is described as being a leader who "took the most important decisions" along with other top 'Ndrangheta bosses and "looked after the interests of the association in the Rome area and in the gambling sectors and drug trafficking" READ ALSO: Messina Denaro: Captured boss's cousin speaks out against ‘mafia culture’ The arrest of Bonavota comes three months after the high-profile capture of Sicilian mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro The Cosa Nostra boss had been a fugitive for 30 years Please log in here to leave a comment Autumn is the ideal season to visit museums and exhibitions in Calabria Calabria's museum offerings are varied and articulated Among the Calabrian national museums and those of international importance we would like to point out a few that are worth a visit on an autumn weekend or on an excursion out of town that combines the discovery of the territory with that of the main artistic productions Our tour of Calabrian museums can only start from the "temple of the Bronzes" the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria The museum is located in the heart of the city's historic centre which has recently undergone an extraordinary museographic restoration a stone's throw from the Falcomatà seafront The National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria is one of the most prestigious archaeological museums in Italy since together with its counterparts in Naples and Taranto it houses some of the most significant evidence of Magna Graecia who promoted its establishment in order to unify the objects housed in the previous Civic Museum with the artefacts unearthed by new excavation campaigns throughout Calabria the Archaeological Museum of Reggio has undergone an innovative refurbishment the Bronzes are now the symbol of Calabrian archaeology Discovered in 1972 in the Riace Marina section of the sea statue "A" (The Young) and statue "B" (The Old) represent two naked warriors about two metres high to visit another unmissable museum in Calabria: the Diocesan and Codex Museum The first museum to be established in Calabria (1952) in 2016 it inaugurated a new and evocative visit itinerary based on the distinction of two main sections: the first dedicated to the collection's most precious jewel to the history of the diocese and the city of Rossano over the centuries through the display of works from various periods and types Both routes are enriched by the presence of multimedia supports The priceless pearl of the Diocesan Museum of Rossano is precisely the Codex Purpureus Rossanensis an ancient Greek illuminated gospel book dating back to the 6th century which collects the gospels of Matthew and Mark in 188 sheets of the finest purple parchment and is enriched with beautiful miniatures the Codex was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is worth a visit to the museum and the city alone We travel to the provincial capital of Cosenza for an autumn weekend of modern and contemporary art The former finds its elective space at the National Gallery in Palazzo Arnone Set in the heart of the city's historical centre at the confluence of the Crati and Busento rivers the National Gallery of Cosenza is the exhibition centre of a breathtaking artistic production The prestigious Palazzo Arnone that houses it was built in the early 16th century by the brothers Bartolo and Ascanio Arnone and it has recently been refurbished with a state-of-the-art museum layout It is accessed through a large barrel-vaulted entrance hall on which the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Naples (1755) is painted The gallery displays a collection of paintings documenting the most significant moments of Italian art with particular reference to southern Italy Among the Calabrian masterpieces par excellence are works by Mattia Preti Lovers of Mattia Preti will find a substantial cross-section of his art in the artist's hometown of Taverna in addition to the large canvases exhibited in the main churches of the historic centre expressly dedicated to the illustrious son who became one of the leading exponents of 17th-century painting on a national and international level and was awarded the title of "Knight of Malta" (hence the appellation "Calabrian Knight") The works by Mattia Preti in Taverna exhibited at the museum follow a chronological and biographical order that allows us to appreciate the production of Mattia and Gregorio Preti in an excursus that includes Saint Hyacinth and Saint Vincent Ferrer a Saint Jerome and a sketch depicting Saints Peter and Paul The city of Vibo Valentia delights us with the ″Vito Capialbi″ National Archaeological Museum which has been housed since 1969 in a wing of the monumental Norman-Swabian Castle one of the architectural symbols of the historic centre Reaching the top of the panoramic hill on which the Castle of Vibo stands after crossing the oldest part of the town the exhibition takes us back through the centuries to the splendour of the ancient Greek city of Hipponion with works and artefacts from the city and its surroundings The Vibo Archaeological Museum is divided into 4 main sections: artefacts from sacred buildings from private collections and material from the Roman period It starts with objects from the protohistoric period including a sword from the 13th century B.C. and it continues with the most representative exhibits from the Greek and Roman periods: Corinthian votive statuettes and gold jewellery of remarkable quality From Cofino come a number of pinakes typical of Locri Epizephyrii and two terracotta models of a temple The section dedicated to the Roman era exhibits finds from Sant'Aloe where several domus and a bathhouse with splendid mosaics have emerged as well as a coin hoard of 867 silver coins from Bretti dating back to the end of the 3rd century B.C On display in the museum courtyard is a mosaic from the 3rd century The tour of Calabrian museums ends in the centre of Crotone in the very place where the Greek philosopher established his Pythagorean School (or Italic School) the large urban park that houses the Pythagorean Museum and Gardens The museum includes a partially underground building and an outdoor part overlooking the park The most original space of the Pythagorean Museum is the so-called "Ludomatica" an interactive classroom dedicated to mathematics the only one of its kind in southern Italy Next to it is the permanent exhibition "Pitagora Docet" which showcases the works of national and international artists who have won the prestigious "Pitagora Prize" https://calabriastraordinaria.it/en/news/autumn-at-museums-in-calabria-6-places-not-to-be-missed You might be interested inArt and CultureIn the footsteps of Tommaso Campanella in Calabria2024-05-21 09:21:46 MuseumCorigliano-Rossano CastleReggio di Calabria Place of worshipTaverna MuseumReggio di Calabria CastleCrotone MuseumCorigliano-Rossano MuseumTaverna MuseumCrotone Last update: Feb 15, 2024 11:49 AMContent owned by the Calabria Region | Tourism and Commerce Department issued under CC-BY License After being exhibited at the exhibition"The Invisible Image" held at the National Archaeological Museum in Paestum from June 3 to October 7 the gold laminetta from Hipponion has returned home to the “Vito Capialbi” National Archaeological Museum in Vibo Valentia which is housed in the Norman Swabian Castle.The laminetta was found in a tomb in ancient Hipponion and dates back to the 4th century BC.This was placed on the chest of the deceased to accompany their soul to the realm of Hades In this case the laminetta would have accompanied a maiden from a noble family The golden lamin etta is a very significant evidence of the cult of mystery religions in Calabria: it is in fact an Orphic laminetta The “Vito Capialbi” National Archaeological Museum in Vibo Valentia is part of the Polo Museale della Calabria Pregnant woman goes to emergency room for lack of fetal movement A tragedy shocks the community of Vibo Valentia where yesterday morning a pregnant woman she experienced an unthinkable tragedy After going to the emergency room for the absence of fetal movement and shortly after her condition also worsened An investigation has been launched to clarify the dynamics of the incident and shed light on what happened At the hospital A 32-year-old woman from Vibo Valentia died along with the child she had been carrying for 7 months The Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into the case The woman is said to have died from cardiac arrest in the Gynecology department after being transferred from the Emergency Room complaining about the lack of movement fetal Doctors confirmed that the the child was already deceased and although the woman was in stable but emotionally shaken conditions Doctors were considering whether to perform a cesarean or induce labor when the situation worsened with the onset of cardiac arrest the young woman's family has appointed a lawyer of their choice “I was contacted yesterday morning by the family who are clearly shocked by the tragic event I don’t have much news other than what has already leaked out by the media An autopsy is due to take place this morning we will appoint a consultant who will work alongside the Public Prosecutor's consultant to take part in the autopsy and establish the causes of death We will try to reconstruct all the phases that led to the woman's death" she had gone to the emergency room several times of the Jazzolino hospital and his death occurred around 7 in the morning La each other has inevitably led to the opening of an investigation by the Public Prosecutor's Office which could be accompanied by an internal investigation by the commissioner's office that oversees the Provincial Health Authority The Public Prosecutor's Office of Vibo Valentia has immediately started an investigation ordering the seizure of the body and acquisition of the medical records According to an initial reconstruction by the medical staff the extraordinary commissioner would have referred to "cardiac complications” arose while the woman was being transferred to the operating room for the surgery necessary to expel the fetus following the confirmation of the death of the child she was carrying The investigations have been entrusted to the Carabinieri of the Vibo Operations Department while the local ASP commissioner structure is also conducting its investigations Notizie.it is a newspaper registered with the Court of Milan n.68 on 01/03/2018 Impara come descrivere lo scopo dell'immagine (si apre in una nuova scheda) Lascia vuoto se l'immagine è puramente decorativa Vibo Valentia has a high level of seismic activity Based on data from the past 55 years and our earthquake archive back to 1900 there are about 942 quakes on average per year in or near Vibo Valentia Vibo Valentia has had at least 2 quakes above magnitude 7 since 1900 which suggests that larger earthquakes of this size occur infrequently probably on average approximately every 60 to 65 years The quake had a very shallow depth of 13.2 km (8 mi) and was too small to be felt by people Vibo Valentia has had 2 quakes of magnitude 3.0 or above and 10 quakes between 2.0 and 3.0 There have been also 58 quakes below magnitude 2.0 which people don't normally feel The strongest earthquake in Vibo Valentia in the past 30 days had a magnitude of 3.6 and occurred 8 days ago: Mag. 3.6 earthquake Tyrrhenian Sea - Sicily, Italy - Apr 28 2025 - writeAge(1745869179)A moderate magnitude 3.6 earthquake occurred in the Tyrrhenian Sea near Isola Vulcano island The quake had a moderate depth of 169 km (105 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so) Decades of ‘Ndrangheta interference have contributed to Vibo’s economic decline thousands of people in the Calabrian city of Vibo Valentia took to the streets on Christmas Eve morning to celebrate a massive police sweep that netted hundreds of alleged mafia members For those living under the shadow of the ‘Ndrangheta it was the first time locals had dared to publicly denounce Italy’s most powerful organised crime syndicate that for decades has infiltrated the southern region’s institutions suffocated its economy and terrorised its people Unlike in previous instances — when relatives of seized ‘Ndrangheta members showed up at police stations to heckle authorities and applaud those arrested — this time it gave me shivers,” recalled Giuseppe Borrello the local representative for anti-mafia association Libera the future is far from certain for the city and province of the same name — often referred to just as Vibo — as 355 arrested bosses operatives and white-collar helpers of its ‘Ndrangheta stand accused of a laundry list of crimes from extortion and usury to money laundering and murder in an ongoing “maxi-trial” A shooting last month has revived fears that a period of relative calm following the arrests is coming to an end while sharp divides remain among the city’s 31,000 residents while others insist the ‘Ndrangheta is still too powerful to be overcome who accuse the state of overzealousness with its hundreds of arrests – ‘Go to the boss’ – restaurant owner Filippo La Scala received two anonymous phone calls ordering him to “bring money to the friends of Vibo” After a Molotov cocktail was thrown onto the restaurant’s patio “It was a tough time,” La Scala told AFP “These things really stress you out.” said he felt “very confident” in authorities’ new commitment in confronting the ‘Ndrangheta after decades of institutional inertia “We’ve felt a new atmosphere of freedom in Vibo” after the December 2019 crackdown The head of Vibo’s provincial carabinieri practically every night we got word of cars burned The last murder in Vibo was in April 2020 and its perpetrator quickly found Police similarly solved the approximately 10 murder attempts since the raids within 48 hours is a new sign of credibility in a territory where locals have long been accustomed to denunciations that go nowhere and trials that drag on or end in acquittals — often through collusion between the ‘Ndrangheta and those in power and the response of the state was practically non-existent,” said the public prosecutor of Vibo Trust in authorities is earned through results the weak state has played directly into the hands of the ‘Ndrangheta “If you file a civil lawsuit and it’s never decided… the second time you’ve got a problem you go to the boss nearby and tell him this guy has to pay back my money’.” Site of the ancient Greek colony of Hipponion Vibo still boasts a picture-perfect 12th-century castle on a hill where goats graze in the evenings offering a spectacular view of the distant volcano of Stromboli marred by abandoned storefronts and unsightly save for — ironically — Vibo’s institute of criminology Some 47 percent of young people are without jobs in the province that makes people ugly and doesn’t inspire them to give their best,” is how blogger and journalist Argentino Serraino describes his home town “That doesn’t mean it should continue that way businesses that shut rather than pay protection money or entrepreneurs denied public contracts due to bid rigging The phenomenon repeats throughout Calabria And despite the ‘Ndrangheta’s near-monopoly on the European cocaine trade and billions laundered through investments in the legal economy across Italy and internationally The trial includes countless allegations of usury property owners forced to sell below price to the mafia and shopkeepers and others routinely asked for “contributions” – ‘Ruined my life’ – Not everyone in Vibo is convinced the state has their back The indictment includes one Vibo merchant as both victim underscoring the murky grey zone often seen in mafia territory “They’ve ruined my life,” Rocco Tavella said of authorities who kept him behind bars for five days after the 2019 sweep who prosecutors say was pressured to sell clothing below cost to mafia members denies being an intermediary in a 2011 money-lending episode as claimed by one of the many informants turned state’s witnesses in the trial “We’ll see how many people are acquitted,” he said sceptically given the close-knit family and social ties with the accused “You can’t lock someone up for just hearing something or being seen with someone,” she said complaining that prosecutors had gone over the top in not limiting arrests to senior bosses “Am I not supposed to greet these people anymore?” The battle against the ‘Ndrangheta is made harder by scarce resources Few veteran magistrates want to move to the area inexperienced lawyers who move on to other jobs at the first opportunity “How can we fight a war on the mafia with bare hands?” he asked Security video images showed cars driving past the wounded man and no witnesses — not even the victim — came forward to denounce the crime “It felt like we went backwards three years all our work up in smoke,” said the carabinieri’s Capece Restaurant owner La Scala said that when he was being threatened he questioned whether he should leave Vibo and Vibo is the most beautiful of the beautiful — mountains and a splendid sea,” said La Scala “If only it weren’t tarnished with this cancer of the ‘Ndrangheta.” With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives Image: ©AFPUS President Donald Trump said Sunday he was ordering new tariffs on all films made outside the United States America’s greatest strengths are being decimated systematically Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth on Monday ordered at least a 20 percent reduction in the number of active-duty four-star generals and admirals OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced Monday that the company behind ChatGPT will continue to be run as a nonprofit Switch to the dark mode that's kinder on your eyes at night time Switch to the light mode that's kinder on your eyes at day time 'The 10 ugliest cities in Italy' is the title of a survey conducted some time ago by the Italian website meteofan.it you might be surprised to see which cities take the highest positions on this unenviable list we see both Naples and Milan score in the top regions Not exactly cities where 'ugly' is the first word that comes to mind But if we look at the principles of the research You could call this top 10 the top 10 of the 'least liveable cities in Italy' The Italian public, who voted for these cities, gave as reasons for the 'ugliness': the pollution on the streets and in the air, the organized crime the poor local government that is all too often corrupt Well, as the source indicates: it concerns an investigation based on subjective impressions. But that doesn't make it any less fun to publish, since all travel blogs and websites are always only on lists with 'the most beautiful places in Italy' to concentrate Let's take a look at which Italian cities made it to this unflattering top 10 Maybe your favorite Italian city is also among them and you have a completely different opinion This Apulian provincial capital is considered one of the least livable cities in all of Italy Brindisi is considered the pinnacle of mediocrity A city that has never been able to find its own cultural and social identity The situation has worsened further as a result of massive urbanization Yet there are also quite beautiful places to find in and around Brindisi, of which we have listed a few here This Lombard city is not much appreciated for its high emissions of polluted air Despite its proximity to Lake Garda and the picturesque mountains Brescia is also considered a rather anonymous place Adding to the ugliness are undoubtedly the haunted suburbs This city in Veneto is on the list because it's just boring The center turns into the Wild West on Saturday afternoons the capital of the Calabria region is considered one of the ugliest cities in Italy due to a totally incompetent and corrupt administration It makes sense that no one wants to live here anymore and the entire demographic has been thrown into disarray The fact that it is by the sea does not save the city Potentially a city that could attract plenty of tourists Were it not that the cleaning and waste management leave something to be desired We are still in Calabria. Vibo Valentia was once a stately Greek colony. Now this city ranks high in the toe of the boot for its bad air. It is downright filthy, monuments are broken or about to fall over, the houses were built without any requirements or permits and there is general disorder at the hands of the 'Ndrangheta The buildings seem to have been thrown down randomly And corruption runs deep into the depths of countless companies Also called Taranto (Latin: Tarentum). The sad suburbs make this Pugliese port city on the Ionian Sea increasingly uninhabitable. Taranto is an industrial city with an extensive steel and iron processing industry, chemical plants, food processing plants, a naval base and docks for building warships. There are of course also beautiful places, such as the Castle of Taranto Taranto is also considered a dangerous place due to its high rate of organized crime Yes, the Milanese metropolis is considered by far the ugliest in the whole beautiful country. Milan is considered the most unsightly and hideous city due to its unfavorable weather conditions (yes, Italians don't like that), high concentration of smog (the second 'smog city' in Europe after Turin) and massive corruption Milan is also just plain boring according to the survey respondents. Dolce vita en dolce far niente are far away from here It is not for nothing that it is called the most European of all Italian cities Do you agree with this list of the ugliest cities ugly placesugliest citiesremarkabletop 10 This is Italy is a web magazine aimed at lovers of the country We have been coming to Italy several times a year for almost 25 years to enjoy la dolce vita On ditisitalie.nl you will find Italy news the houses are all concrete blocks and unfinished but the results of an online poll among Italian people Taranto has an atmospheric Old Town which is fascinating to explore And I didn't feel any danger walking around The Castello Sforzesco and Gothic Duomo can hold there own against any Monuments in Italy colorful city is the epicenter of the Italian soul This is Italy is a web magazine by and for Italy lovers learn the Italian language with free and paid courses be inspired by Italian cuisine and culture Here you will also find everything about Italian regions the landscape of Italy and the famous Italian lakes Read more >> © 2009-2025 This is Italy is published by DYC media