Things to Do and See in Crotone

Crotone, the capital of the province of the same name, was founded by Greek colonists from the region of Achaea on the site of a pre-existing indigenous settlement and was one of the most important centers of Magna Graecia. According to Ovid’s legend, the city owes its origins to Hercules, who, upon returning from one of his mythical labors, decided to build a city in honor of his friend Crotone, whom he had accidentally wounded to death and thus wished to atone for his mistake. Historically, however, this is the city of the Greek school founded by Pythagoras and the birthplace of the Olympic athlete Milo. The main monuments include the Castle of Charles V, located in the old part of the city, the Cathedral; the noble palaces, and the National Archaeological Museum, which houses unique artifacts such as the Treasure of Hera. Elsewhere in the province, we recommend a visit to Cirò, perched on a hill overlooking Punta Alice, around the ruins of the Carafa family’s feudal castle. In 1952, the present-day town of Cirò Marina separated from this municipality; it features important archaeological and cultural sites, such as the ruins of the Doric-style Temple of Apollo. Other must-see destinations include Le Castella, known for its stunning sea and Aragonese castle; and San Severina, one of Calabria’s most picturesque towns: perched on a rocky cliff, its unique location has earned it the nickname “stone ship.”