Discovering Drapia

Drapia is a small Calabrian town in the province of Vibo Valenza. It rises to 262 meters and has 2,500 inhabitants distributed in 3 hamlets. Strategically located between the crystalline sea of Tropea, the Tyrrhenian pearl, which is just 5 kilometers away, and the nature of Monte Poro, on whose slopes it stands. The Monte Poro plateau is rich in resources, ranging from the forest to agriculture, cattle breeding, pastoralism. Drapia loves its countryside, its smells, its products. Built in the pre-Byzantine era, following the Saracen invasions, it experienced the Roman, Norman and Swabian dominations, but remained culturally extremely linked to the Greek-Byzantine world. Proof of this is the feast of September 27 in honor of Saints Cosmas and Damian, of Greek origin, which attracts thousands of pilgrims from the entire region. Monasteries and churches are reminiscent of Greek cults and rituals. The food and wine sector enjoys considerable importance in Drapia with leading products such as wine, oil, onions, cheeses, soppressata and the famous suriaca, a local white bean. The craftsmanship is also very developed, musical instruments such as lute and lyre are built, and clay vases by hand with the prehistoric technique. There are many possibilities in Drapia to practice trekking. A final mention of the castle, the summer seat of the philosopher Pasquale Galluppi, of the nineteenth century, now finally being restored.