Vibo Valentia (The Essential Guide to Calabria)

Vibo Valentia is a city in the Calabria region of southern Italy, near the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital of the province of Vibo Valentia, and is an agricultural, commercial and tourist center (the most famous places nearby are Tropea, Ricadi and Pizzo). There are also several large manufacturing industries, including the tuna district of Maierato. Very important for the local economy is Vibo Marina's harbour. The main sights of the city are: the Norman-Hohenstaufen Castle, today home to a state museum, the Walls of Hipponion, the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore e San Leoluca (Cathedral), built in the 9th century over the remains of a Byzantine basilica, the Church of Santa Ruba (c. 1000), and the Church of the Rosario (c. 1337), located over a Roman temple.