Copanello

Copanello anchorage is located along the Ionian coast in the province of Catanzaro in Calabria; the town is a hamlet of the municipality of Stalettì, located 8 km west of the anchorage. Copanello is one of the most renowned places in the entire Ionian Sea for beach holidays; it is located in the center of the Gulf of Squillace and has large beaches of fine sand mixed with rocks and cliffs. The town is surrounded by greenery, with typical Mediterranean vegetation, mountains and hills that slope gently toward the sea.

There are wonderful coves along the Riviera, such as that of Caminia, 6 km south of Copanello in the direction of Soverato. This location has one of the many caves in the area, making it popular with scuba diving enthusiasts. The coast is quite rugged and irregular, with coves and beaches of sand, rocks, stones and caves. The sea is beautiful and is popular with snorkeling and spearfishing enthusiasts.

Anchorages in Copanello are also comfortable because the area is quite breezy and even on days of summer heatwave there is always a light breeze. The bay in front of the beach is constantly crowded with boats because it is sheltered from winds and currents and is surrounded by spectacular scenery.

Since the 1960s, the Copanello Riviera with its beach has been the summer residence of people of a certain socio-economic level and is full of bars, restaurants, vacation resorts, stores and elegant hangouts. There is also the famous upscale piano bar La Rotonda sul mare that inspired Fred Bongusto‘s song.

In the village there are many places of great archaeological and architectural interest that in the 1980s were defaced by a number of illegal constructions, including theCopanello ecomoster, demolished in 2007 to build a green area. The anchorages are popular because the sea is among the most beautiful in all of Italy, the area is quiet and ideal for swimming and scuba diving in the caves.

In addition to the caves there are to visit the famous Cassiodorus tanks and the Vivarium, founded by Flavius Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus, who was presumably born in 485 AD and created the Vivarium in 555 AD. These are three large fish-breeding tanks still visible along the coast and 12 meters deep.

Coming ashore, the country is the typical elegant tourist beach resort where you can find everything, but those who want to take cultural vacations can also visit museums and historical sites, such as the house where Giuseppe Garibaldi slept in Stalettì di Copanello or the early Christian chapel of St. Martino.

Immersion in the pools of Cassiodorus