Sandokan in Calabria: tour of the set locations

Sandokan, in Calabria, lands on the coast of the Riviera dei Tramonti, in particular in the oasis of the so-called "La Vota" Lakes, in the municipal territory of Gizzeria (CZ).

Here, Sandokan-Can Yaman, finds the ideal set to shoot some scenes in a very evocative landscape: the wetland area that flows into the Tyrrhenian Sea, on the coast of Gizzeria Lido, is a brackish water ecosystem where various animal and plant species live.

The natural origin of the "Vota" Lakes, recognised as a Site of Community Importance (SCI), is linked to the variations in the coastline: composed of "La Vota" proper, the "Vota Piccola", the "Piraina" (also used as a private marina) and the "Nuova", Gizzeria's small lakes form the backdrop to Sandokan's scenes in Calabria in which the vegetation of the Malaysian marshes is evoked. 

Among the reed thickets and Mediterranean dunes, the osprey and the red heron, birdwatchers' favourite species, find refuge. Because of its microclimate, characterised by strong winds and peculiar sea currents, the Gizzeria Lido coastline is also the right place for kitesurfing enthusiasts in Calabria: it is no coincidence that the locality hosts the World Championship every year.  

Just a short distance away is the city of Lamezia Terme, another Sandokan set in Calabria to visit: a tour of the old town centre (Nicastro) and a wellness bath at the famous Caronte Thermal Baths (Sambiase), until you discover the film set set in the city's industrial area, where the English colony of Labuan has been reconstructed.

The second stop on the itinerary in the footsteps of Sandokan in Calabria is the "Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea", on the Costa degli Dei: Tropea.

Already listed among "The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy" and holder of the Blue Flag, Tropea welcomes Sandokan-Can Yaman with its Caribbean sea and a long tradition linked to Saracen raids and the Battle of Lepanto (1571).

The battle is re-enacted in an event very much felt by the community, which took part in the famous battle en masse: every year, on 3 May, the popular festival known as "I Tri da' Cruci" is celebrated, during which the papier-mâché silhouettes of a fleet of pirates and a camel are set on fire.

The Tropea location chosen to film the scene in which the 'Tiger of Malaysia' docks his boat is the Palombaro Cave, in the shadow of the large rock on which the Shrine of Santa Maria dell'Isola stands.

Who knows if Sandokan-Can Yaman liked the sweet PGI Tropea Red Onion... we certainly recommend tasting it!

Among the sets of Sandokan in Calabria along the Costa degli Dei there is the locality of Capo Vaticano, in the municipality of Ricadi.

What better location for the legendary exploits of Sandokan (Can Yaman)!

Turquoise sea framed by promontories, fine sand, bays and caves. Above all, the Grotticelle beach: a stretch of coast defined as the "Calabrian Caribbean" for the transparency of the seabed, where snorkelling and diving are possible.

In the enchantment of the Grotticelle in Capo Vaticano, Sandokan gives vent to his physical prowess by galloping along the long white beach, just like the horse-riding enthusiasts who choose to discover the magic of these places with a horseback ride.

Traces of Saracen raids in Ricadi?

Torre Marrana, one of Calabria's best-preserved coastal towers, bears witness to them. At its foot lies an interesting archaeological area surrounded by greenery, in a panoramic position and home to events all year round.

The fourth and last stop of the film tour itinerary on the sets of Sandokan in Calabria, the splendid seaside fortress of "Le Castella", one of the most beautiful seaside resorts along the Costa dei Saraceni, in the Crotone area.

After crossing the Tyrrhenian locations, we move on to the Ionian coast of Calabria, in the municipality of Isola Capo Rizzuto, Blue Flag and one of the largest Marine Protected Areas in Europe, to discover a place already widely known to the world of great cinema.

The unmistakable Aragonese Castle at the water's edge has been the setting for films that have made history: from here have passed the popular faces chosen by Pier Paolo Pasolini to interpret The Gospel according to St. Matthew (1964), and the improbable crusaders following Vittorio Gassman and Gian Maria Volonté in Mario Monicelli's L'armata Brancaleone (1966).  

Our own Sandokan-Can Yaman also passed through here, and it was at the foot of the fortress, the exterior of which was transformed into a Malaysian harbour wharf, that he was immortalised in his first Calabrian film shoot.