Origins:
Legend has it that a group
of Basilian friars,
originally from Sicily,
when embarking in this
delightful town named it after
their holy patron, Sant'Euplo.
In 1300 Charles of Anjou
overlet the town to Artemidoro
Joppolo, from whom the name
must derive. After being state
land for a short while, the town
went into the hands of several
noble families, such as Marzano,
Pignatelli, Gallupi, Ruffo and
Melecinis of Pizzo.
Characteristics:
The dramatic rocks
and cliff formations lend a
particular charm to the town of
Joppolo, where the houses
are clustered on a rock above
the sea.
Do not miss the beautiful
beach surrounded by a green
pine-wood.
Worth a
Visit in Joppolo:
You can visit the watch-tower of
"Angioina" that
is erected on a little cliff
almost right above the sparkling
sea. Also worth while is the
hill of Monte Poro, where
you can taste the original
pecorino cheese or visit the
chapel of
Madonna del Carmine, of
whom the festivities are held on
the 15th and 16th of July.
The hillside is covered by a
dense vegetation with pine-trees,
olive trees, almond trees and
prickly pear trees.
From the nearby village of Maroniti
there is a terrific panorama
view of the Calabrese Appennines,
Sicily with its vulcano
Etna and in the far the Aeolian
Islands.
Caroniti, after Napoli,
is the only village in Southern
Italy where the feast of St. Gennaro
is still celebrated, since
it seems that he might have been
born in this village.
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