Medieval Archaeological Park of Ancient Miletus

The Medieval Archaeological Park of Ancient Mileto includes the remains of the ancient city of Mileto, the Norman capital of Roger I of Altavilla, not far from the modern town of Mileto, in the province of Vibo Valentia. Archaeological interest in Ancient Mileto began in the early 19th century, when travellers arrived at the ruins of the city, abandoned after the earthquake of 1783, to visit the remains of the Norman capital. Archaeologist Paolo Orsi was the first to focus his investigations on the hill of Monteverde, where it was thought that there may have been a small Roman settlement, as evidenced by some finds on display at the National Archaeological Museum of Mileto.  

The site covers an area of about 40 hectares, among hills and olive groves, and is the first example of a medieval park in Calabria. Chosen by Roger I of Altavilla as the capital of the Norman Province of Melitana, the Archaeological Park of Ancient Mileto preserves the remains that, starting from the Iron Age and passing through the Roman, Byzantine and Arab periods, represent the stratification of the city up to its medieval splendour, when the city of Mileto rose to become the capital of the kingdom (1058). The park also includes the remains of the old town, destroyed by earthquakes in 1638 and 1783: the Cathedral, the Làmie, Ruggero's Palace, later transformed into a Bishop's Palace and Seminary, and the remains of the Abbey of the Holy Trinity.

Useful information

The Medieval Archaeological Park of Ancient Mileto can be visited free of charge and is located along Provincial Road No. 10, which connects Mileto to the A3 motorway, about 12 km from the Mileto junction and a 30-minute drive from Vibo Valentia (southbound).