Perched atop a cliff overlooking the Gulf of Saint Euphemia, Pizzo is a picturesque Italian port town in Calabria. It was first mentioned in the 14th century as a community of Basilian monks and developed into an important fishing village. Legends state that Odysseus came to shore here while travelling along the Costa degli Dei.
Things to do in Pizzo
Spend an afternoon wandering the atmospheric streets of Pizzo and admire the whitewashed facade of the Santuario San Francesco Di Paola. Originally constructed in 1579 and rebuilt following an earthquake in 1905, the church features an octagonal dome and a 23-metre-high bell tower. Inside you'll find a marble baptismal font and stained-glass windows depicting the miracles of Saint Francis of Paola.
Dominating Pizzo is the Castello Murat, a well-preserved military fortress that dates back to the 14th century when its tower was built to defend against Saracen raids. It is named after Napoleon Bonaparte’s brother-in-law, Joachim Murat, who was imprisoned and sentenced to death here in 1815. See the cell where he spent his last days and browse the historical exhibits before enjoying the panoramic views across the Tyrrhenian Sea.
A short drive north-east of Pizzo is the Chiesetta di Piedigrotta, a seaside cave church created by 19th and 20th-century sculptors. It is open to the public as a museum, with thousands of Italian fossils and mummified fish on display, alongside more than 100,000 shells from all corners of the globe. Tools used for shipbuilding and marine-themed paintings are also exhibited.
Getting around Pizzo
Pizzo is around 20 minutes’ drive from Lamezia Terme International Airport, which has seasonal flights to destinations across Europe and North America. Regular buses connect to Pizzo and the town is small enough to explore on foot.