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Briatico

Description

A pretty beach resort in the province of Vibo Valentia, located at the mouth of the river Murri, between the port of Zambrone and the port of Vibo Marina, along the Costa degli Dei, Briatico was founded, according to tradition, by the Locresi (an ancient Italic population) during their migration to Hipponion. However, the first records and documents date to the XII century when Roger the Norman, in an edit, proclaimed the foundation of the Diocese of Miletus, and reported the name of the small town of Euriatikon (now Briatico). During the feudal period, the city passed from domain to domain: Conrad of Antochia held the rule until 1269, when he was succeeded by Nicolò de Trayna, till 1278. Then came the turn of Adamo de Elmis (until 1304); Giliberto de Santillis (until 1326); Leone da Reggio (until 1414), Polissena Ruffo (until 1420); Covella Ruffo (until 1442); Marino Marzano (until 1485); Leonardo Tocco (until 1494); Troiano de Buttunis (until 1495) and Giovanni Giacomo Trivulzio (until 1496). The family Bisbal, ruled the fief from 1496 to 1590, when the property passed into the hands of Diana Carbone. Then it was the time of Gerolama Colonna and Ettore Maria Pignatelli whose family ruled until the abolition of feudalism (1806).
Sites of Interest:
- the Old main center of Briatico, situated on a hill on the right side of the river Murri, destroyed by the earthquake of 1783. At present remain only the ruins of a medieval castle, built by Ferdinand Bisbal, the ruins of the village and traces of two of the five Saracen towers: the Rocchetta, with its pentagonal shape, which dates back to the Greek ages, and the tower of St. Irene, erected during the Spanish viceroyalty domain;
- remains of Prehistoric Ages that reveal the existence of a settlement in the area dating back to the Copper Age, a Roman necropolis and a building complex (probably thermal baths) of the Imperial Ages;
- the Medieval hermits caves ( the most famous one is known as the Cave of the Fairies);
- the Church of St. Nicholas of Bari, a permanent exhibition of the treasures from the churches of Old Briatico, such as a XVII painting depicting St. Nicholas, a XV century crucifix and XVII century statue of the Immaculate Conception, a craftsman masterpiece of Spanish manufacture.

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