Ready to taste heaven on your lips? That’s what they say about the tartufo in Pizzo. I am here to tell you a story of this Calabrian village. Pizzo is more than just a dot on the map. It’s a place where history whispers from every corner.
Pizzo’s story begins way back in the 1300s. Imagine a small fishing village nestled by the sea. Basilian monks lived here. A fort stood guard. Legend says Odysseus himself rested in Pizzo’s bay. Later Cicero and Saint Peter stopped here.
Now fast forward to 1815. Joachim Murat King of Naples and Sicily Napoleon’s brother-in-law landed here. He wanted to start a revolt but the locals captured him. They imprisoned him in the Castello Aragonese and executed him. Today the castle is known as Castello Murat.
Pizzo is home to about 9000 people called Pizzitani or Napitani. The village stretches along the coast for about 10 km. It has ten churches and fifteen gelaterias. Each gelateria sells the famous tartufo ice cream. It was invented in Pizzo to honor Prince Umberto I of Savoy in 1943. Every gelateria keeps its recipe secret. Even the locals argue about who makes the best tartufo.
The different parts of Pizzo each have their own vibe. Centro Storico is the old town perched high above the sea. La Marina is the beach below the castello. Nazionale is the busy commercial area. Piedigrotta is near the unique church of the same name. La Marinella is a residential zone on the beach.
Pizzo is less touristy than Tropea. It’s a real Calabrian village where locals live and work. This makes it lively all year round. The heart of Pizzo is Piazza Repubblica. It is also called the salotto. Everyone meets here. You’ll find vendors shops and restaurants around the piazza.
To get to Pizzo you can fly into Lamezia Terme Airport. It’s only about 25 km from Pizzo. You can also take the train. Pizzo has two train stations. The main one is Vibo Valentia-Pizzo. You can also drive. Pizzo is easily accessible via the A2 motorway.
There’s plenty to do in Pizzo. Relax and enjoy the slow pace of life. Swim in the crystal clear water. Stroll through the narrow alleys. Admire the sea views. Visit one of Pizzo’s ten churches. Explore the Castello Aragonese Murat. The Chiesetta di Piedigrotta is a unique church carved into a grotto on the beach.
Pizzo is attracting artists. You might discover an artist’s studio. You can also take a cooking class. Or improve your Italian. If you want to see the Aeolian Islands you can take a day trip from Vibo Marina.
The Costa degli Dei has beautiful beaches. The water is crystal clear and turquoise. There are also hills and mountains for hiking. The monastery of Serra San Bruno is quiet and peaceful. If it’s raining visit the Castello Murat.
Pizzo offers a taste of Italy from a simpler time. A time when life was slower. It’s a place to relax to explore and to indulge in the sweet taste of tartufo. So come wander the streets of Pizzo breathe in the sea air and discover the magic for yourself.