CAPO VATICANO, A SPUR OVER THE SEA

Ricadi is situated at the feet of Monte Poro plateau and extends towards the sea: here there is the wonderful beach of Capo Vaticano. This is the ideal place for those who love living surrounded by nature and for those who love crystal-clear sea: the sea water is of a beautiful turquoise. The square spur of Capo Vaticano is near Tropea, a famous tourist town, just in front of Eolie Islands and Stromboli. It is at 284 m above the sea level on the western part of Poro mount and it is like a natural watershed between Gioia Tauro and Sant'Eufemia (Lamezia Terme) gulfs. Capo Vaticano is still uncontaminated and has wonderful landscapes: wild overhanging rocks, white and grey granitic rocks, isolated beaches with white sand and many small and charming creeks (some of them can be reached only by sea or through rough paths). The sea is perfect for diving. The water is wonderful with so many different colours. The fauna and the flora are variegated and uncontaminated. "Formicoli" seabed is really interesting: it is made of granitic rocks with a rich fauna.

A typical plant is the prickly pear. Then there is the so-called "garofano degli ottentotti" (a carnation), yellow brooms, heathers, myrtles. On the rock near Belvedere del Faro in Capo Vaticano there are many palms, and elegant orchids.

The panorama is contained by amazing cliffs that fall into the sea: the seabed is rocky, coloured and rich of fish. The waters mirror the wonderful colours of the cliffs: the colours of olive trees, oaks, maritime pines, prickly pears and vineyards. In the valleys there is still the prehistoric fern.

A famous Italian writer, Giuseppe Berto, decided to live in Capo Vaticano and he was also buried here. He described Capo Vaticano with these words: Il tratto di costa che culmina in Capo Vaticano è pieno di storia e di bellezza. Si potrebbe chiamarlo Costabella"; he thus emphasized the beauty and the wonderful landscapes of this territory.