Zambrone

Zambrone is located halfway between Tropea and Vibo Valentia, a few kilometres to the north of the promontory of Capo Vaticano. It is a splendid tourist resort of Calabria's Tyrrhenian coast, in the middle of the famous Costa degli Dei (Coast of Gods). The village, until a few decades ago, was devoted exclusively to agriculture and sheep farming. Subsequently, due to the influx of tourism from nearby Tropea, and especially due to the wonderful white beaches surrounded by splendid cliffs in granite and by a crystal clear sea, Zambrone has experienced a thriving tourist growth, becoming a privileged destination for beach holidays in Costa degli Dei.

In recent decades, hotel and residences of all categories have emerged in Zambrone, but especially tourist villages and many campsites on its long and extensive white beaches, visited by foreign tourists.

Zambrone is a famous destination, highly sought-after by many visitors from all parts of Europe due to its marvellous seabed seething with marine life.

The marina

Equipped with a beautiful and long beach, Zambrone is one of the pearls of the Gulf of Sant'Eufemia, with its position halfway between Tropea and Briatico. Fringed by one of the cleanest seas in Italy, Zambrone has a varied coastline from where visitors can enjoy the spectacular views of the Aeolian Islands and the Stromboli volcano. Already from the 1300s onwards there is evidence of settlements in the area, which used the abundance of the sea and the presence of steep hills which contributed to protect the village from the assaults of pirates. Zambrone's old town centre is located in a raised position, while the large tourist development has had a marina, built in the last few years around a white sandy beach, whose beauty equals that of the best beaches of tropical paradises. The beach is the Marina’s main attraction. The longer seashore is situated to the south of the tip and is a strip of white sand lapped by a transparent and inviting sea. Punta Zambrone closes the beach in the North and it is ideal for those who love diving and snorkelling. The beach that continues in the direction of Briatico takes the name of Paradiso del Sub (Divers’ paradise), due to its crystalline waters that allow for excellent visibility when diving. The beach is much smaller but the scenery is wonderful and the landscape rivals other well-known destinations worldwide. On the tip a specific rock takes the name of Scoglio del Leone (Lion’s Cliff) due to its characteristic shape which makes it seem like a big feline standing and protecting the whole coast. The main reason that makes this beach a famous location, sought after by many visitors from all parts of Europe is the extraordinary transparency of the water, together with the presence of a marvellous seabed seething with marine life. This small hidden bay is not the only ideal for those who love diving, but also for all those who appreciate nature and hiking. Going down to the beach is not easy, but the beauty of nature, the turquoise waters that bathe the reefs and white sand and gorgeous transparencies of the sea, make all efforts worthwhile.
A comfortable alternative is a navigation itinerary, due to tours service that departs on a daily basis from Parghelia.

Old town centre

Worthy of a visit in the old town centre is the chiesa di San Carlo Borromeo (church of St Charles Borromeo), which stands in the square of the same name and has very ancient origins. Not much is known about its original structure as it was almost completely destroyed by the earthquake of 1905. The current church has an exterior in ordinary stone masonry, wooden roof structures and an architectural style that is very austere and linear. The façade, simple and classic in style displays no specific ornamental elements. The four pillars are detached slightly from the bottom and support the cornice highlighted by its grooves, separating the quadrangular prospectus from the a triangular tympanum, wherein at the centre there is a clock. The interior of the church, completely redone, has a wooden ceiling in a modern style with a single rectangular nave; its space seems to expand into blurred chiaroscuro effects in the apse that appears as a small plastic façade, where the statue of “San Carlo” reigns. All towns and villages of Calabria have their own "Calvary", located a little outside of the inhabited centre, to remember the location of Golgotha with respect to the city of Jerusalem.
Zambrone’s "Calvari" is atypical, with the central niche always larger than the side ones as it is reserved for the representation of the Crucifix. Sometimes these sizes become predominant factors, in such a way that a new and different type of construction may be construed; but, clearly, it is none other that the enormous enlargement of the central niche at the expense of the side ones. The central niche may, within its limit, become a true small apse, containing a Crucifix of plaster, statues, or a large painting. Zambrone, like many other towns, has also contributed with the sacrifice of its citizens to creating the dream of a free and democratic Italy. Not to forget and to commemorate and honour its heroes, a monument was erected in memory, situated in piazza San Carlo, representing a touching figure of a mother who holds a young soldier who is crushed, alluding to the “Pietà”. At the foot of the monument, a marble slab bears the names of the fallen of the two world wars, a long and sad list preceded by the verses of the very beautiful poem “Another dream” by Federico Garcia Lorca.

Gastronomy

Zambrone’s agricultural production is strongly characterized by typical Calabrian products which are renowned for their special taste, texture and variety. In addition to a large oil production, Zambrone is famous for the production of delicious and special beans, called "al burro" (buttered beans). The chilli pepper is the king of cultivation, grown everywhere in Zambrone and used in typical dishes. The arbutus (corbezzolo), called “cucummaro” in dialect, is another typical product of the area. It can be found mainly in the hedges of San Giovanni and also on the road from San Giovanni to Daffinà.
The white grapes of Zambrone, called “zibibbo” which produce an excellent dessert wine are quite popular.