Copanello: beautiful Calabrian Mediterranean landscape

popular seaside destination since the first post-war period, Copanello is located in the center of the Gulf of Squillace, in the stretch of coast that takes the name of Costa degli Aranci or Costa dei Saraceni.

This lovely tourist center belongs to the province of Catanzaro (it is in fact only 8 km from Catanzaro Lido), is a hamlet of the municipality of Stalettì and is divided into Copanello Alta, Copanello Lido and Santa Maria del Mare.

It is a popular holiday resort because it has all the characteristics of the typical Mediterranean landscape, with lush hills rich in flora and fauna and beautiful white granite headlands that slope harmoniously towards the sea giving life to shores of gravel sand -sometimes very fine- that intertwine with dizzying cliffs overhanging.

Among the cliffs in some places there are caves, the most famous of which is that of San Gregorio, which is located between Copanello and the hamlet by Caminia. The cave, which is a cavity with a total development of 80 meters opened at a fault between granite rocks and slowly widened thanks to the corrosive action of the wave, is very suggestive, both from the point of view of natural beauty and for the ancient legend it guards. It seems that here miraculously landed the relics of Saint Gregory the Wonderworker, one of the Fathers of the Church of the 3rd century and current patron of the nearby Stalettì. The relics of the Saint are found in the homonymous Byzantine church of the municipality of Stalettì and since ancient times the cave is considered a sacred place. Touristically speaking, it is a very coveted place because being reachable only by swimming or by boat, it offers discreet privacy and the opportunity to sit back and enjoy a peaceful relaxation.

The entire stretch of coast has a wild nature, largely unspoiled and highly appreciated both by lovers of simple walks through long and narrow walks. trails surrounded by greenery, both by trekking enthusiasts.

During walks on the cliffs you can enjoy a breathtaking view overlooking the sea and you are wrapped in the scents typical of the Mediterranean scrub, with enveloping scents and heady with eucalyptus, myrtle and juniper, while the entire rocky area is dotted with wild carnations, lentiscus flowers and is ideal for taking nature photography. For those who are early risers, walking among the rocks during the first hours of the day offers the opportunity to see a beautiful and at times poetic sunrise on the sea that many describe as a unique and unique experience. unforgettable. Equally impressive is the landscape at sunset, when the sun, now low on the horizon line, creates particular play of light on the ripples of the water.

The real seaside part is located at the point of the Gulf of Squillace, part of the municipality of Stalettì. This stretch of the coast is crossed by State Road 106 and the beaches, located next to each other, are all very welcoming and with dining options, despite the very wild natural landscape.

The most famous are, however, the Copanello beach, which is considered the flagship of this stretch of the Ionian coast, the beach of Torrazzo Pietragrande and that of Carminia.

Copanello beach is located at the foot of a high cliff, is very wide and spacious and is always ventilated by a pleasant breeze marina that softens the hot heat typical of the Mediterranean climate, offering a fresh refreshment. It is characterized by a very beautiful rocky landscape: it also has numerous rocks that throw themselves high in the sea -which at this point of the Ionian Sea is of a crystal clear clarity- with colors that thin out from the cobalt blue towards emerald green typical of plankton rich depths. The sand is very fine, mostly white but with some points that tend to a golden heat and some locals claim that stepping on it, especially in the early morning, when there are not many holidaymakers and noises are more sparse and muffled, it feels like hearing the sweet sound of violins.

The other beaches are also more or less similar from a geomorphological point of view, all immersed in a characteristic sea-hill dualism and surrounded by unspoilt nature, sometimes wild .

The sea in summer has turquoise shades, the water is transparent and clean and it's impossible to resist a dip: it is ideal for taking a bath and a simple swim, but it's also Very suitable for snorkelling or scuba diving enthusiasts. The seabed is sandy, with rocks that form arches and siphons and offers a varied and colorful marine fauna: on the rocks there are colorful sponges, curls and different types of algae, while on the bottom they are often lay beautiful shells. The ravines created by the rocky areas are home to burrows, groupers and banks of bream and mullet and among the sand there are tracines and mullet. This makes the place a real paradise for both those who love underwater fishing and for scuba diving lovers.

From the point of view of tourism services Copanello is well equipped, with high-level facilities, several hotels, villages and residences and both hotel and beach facilities they also offer services suitable for elite tourism.

Since it has been a popular holiday area for several years both Italians and foreigners, it is full of various dining and entertainment options as well as numerous nightlife and dancing venues. famous for hosting famous characters from the show and light music not only local but also international.

What makes it much loved as a holiday spot, especially summer, is the fact that it looks like a place that offers great ideas for a holiday suitable for all tastes and budgets: it is ideal for those who love to immerse themselves in unspoilt nature, venturing through the mule track trails and enjoying the beauty of flora and fauna, for those who want to relax taking sunbathing and sea spending the days on the beach, allows you to have fun shopping thanks to the very characteristic shops and at the same time it is a great tourist destination. also for those who prefer art and cultural tourism.

Copanello preserves important historical remains: among all the tomb of Cassiodoro (political, literate and Roman historian) who held high positions during the government of the Goths - who were among the proponents of the fall of the Roman Empire - and was originally from Squillace, a place a few kilometers away), housed in the triabsided church of San Martino, the only one early Christian vestiges present in Calabria.

Of course also worth seeing is the “Libero Gatti naturalistic museum”, which houses a beautiful collection of shells that experts consider among the most beautiful of the world and a botanical garden of 18000 square meters in which are summarized all the peculiarities typical of the Mediterranean flora; the museum is also the center of tourist information for the” Cassiodorei itineraries”, a guide path to discover the villages of the hinterland; the “Cassiodorei flavors road” is an interesting route to visit historic centers and farms of the area, very suitable for those who prefer food and wine tourism.

Other places of great artistic and historical interest are the pools of Cassiodoro (three natural basins part of an ancient Roman site), the & lt; b>Church of Santa Maria Vetere, the remains of the Byzantine castrum, which recent excavations have expanded, bringing to light the main entrance flanked by two twin towers from the Justinian era and, for come to more recent years, the Casino Pepe.

Light music fans can also visit the Rotonda (which inspired the famous song by Fred Bongusto) and in the evening, regardless of type of holiday you prefer, you can sip a drink in one of the different nightclubs that were born in the 70s but that still now welcome guests and celebrities for summer evenings.

Finally, a curiosity: Copanello also houses the beach of the Carabinieri and that of the State Police.