Vibo Valentia is an ancient city situated in a panoramic position overlooking the Tyrrhenian coasts of the S. Eufemia Gulf. It is rich in noteworthy places of art.
Vibo is rich in monuments and history. There are numerous cultural stops, among which we would definitely like to point out: the Duomo, the Norman-Swabian Castle, the National Archaeological Museum, the Rosario Church, and the ruins of the Greek and Roman city of Hipponion.
The Castle lies in an area of acropolises of Hipponion and in fact, encompasses re-utilised material which came from Greek temples. It was constructed by the Normans (1070) and amplified by the Swabians and Aragonese. It is the seat of the Vito Capialbi National Archaeological Museum, which exhibits funerary objects, Corinthian vases and armour.
Nearby is where one will find the 15th century Palazzo Romei, the Renaissance San Michele Church (1519) with its beautiful clock tower and the San Giuseppe Church (1750) which preserve interesting 17th century canvases in its interior.
Descending, one will arrive at the S. Maria La Nova Church, with a 16th century portal and noteworthy canvases in its interior. Palazzo Galiardi stands nearby, once the seat of the Archaeological Museum, and the beautiful Villa Comunale with gardens.
Next to the gardens one can visit the Rosario Church, which preserves a 14th century sarcophagus and beautiful canvases in its interior.
Moving along Via Vittorio Veneto, one will arrive in front of the Santa Maria Maggiore and San Leoluca Duomo, erected during the '600s on the place where a Byzantine Basilica from the IX century once stood. It preserves a rich collection of canvases and statues from various historical eras in its interior.
The Hipponion Archaeological site is situated around 2 kilometres from the actual centre.