San Nicola Arcella
San Nicola Arcella: a coastal town with a natural harbor
San Nicola Arcella is a picturesque coastal town located on the Riviera dei Cedri in Calabria, Southern Italy. With a population of around 1,891 inhabitants, it is famous for its beautiful bay enclosed by a rocky arm that gives it the shape of a natural harbor. The town is located on a cliff at 110 meters above sea level, making it even more fascinating.
The history of San Nicola Arcella
The history of San Nicola Arcella has ancient roots dating back to the Roman era. The city was founded by survivors of Lavinium, an ancient Roman city located at the mouth of the Lao River, after the destruction of the Greek city of "Làos", which was attacked by northern barbarians.
The population of Lavinium was forced by sanitary conditions and the need to defend themselves from Saracen raids to take refuge on the nearby hills, giving rise to Scalea and the Casale of San Nicola Arcella.
Initially, the city was called San Nicola dei Greci, but in the Bourbon era, it took on its current name, which seems to derive from the rocky land on which the town is built. In the 19th century, Prince Pietro Lanza of Scalea, marrying Eleonora, the last heir of the Spinelli of Scalea, became prince of the entire fiefdom, inheriting the fortified farm, also known as "Il Palazzo", built in the 18th century by the will of Prince Antonio Spinelli of Scalea, designating it as his summer residence.
The prince's settlers, together with the ancient inhabitants, dedicated mainly to fishing, built the first urban nucleus, that is, the first Casale which took the name of Casaletto; they were the houses of the court, a name still attributed to the oldest part of the village. The fiefdom remained in the hands of the princes of Scalea until the abolition of feudalism decreed by the French (1806).
Under the new rulers, San Nicola experienced a brief administrative autonomy and became an autonomous municipality only in 1912.
San Nicola Arcella today
San Nicola Arcella has become an extremely popular tourist destination thanks to the beauty of its bay, its panoramic position, and the natural beauty of the surrounding territory.
The municipality has been recognized by the Foundation for Environmental Education with the blue flag in 2022 for the fourth consecutive time for the Arcomagno/Grande Canale Marinella beach.
As for the cultural and tourist aspect of the town, Francis Marion Crawford is an important figure. The English writer established his residence at the port tower, around the end of the 19th century, where he set some of his stories, offering evidence of the life of the small fishing village. Today the tower has been transformed into a museum dedicated to the life and works of Crawford.
What to do in San Nicola Arcella
The city offers many tourist activities, starting with a visit to the Crawford Tower, which dates back to the sixteenth century. The tower is located on the Arco Magno beach, a unique beach reachable only by sea. Among the other places to visit are the Castle of Scalea, the Sanctuary of Madonna delle Armi, the Rondinelle Cave, the Sanctuary of Beato Alfonso Maria Fusco, and the Museum of Peasant Civilization.
But San Nicola Arcella is above all an ideal seaside resort for nature lovers, with crystal-clear waters, unspoiled beaches, and a variety of water activities, such as swimming, fishing, snorkeling, and sailing.
The gastronomy of San Nicola Arcella
The local cuisine of San Nicola Arcella is a combination of Mediterranean flavors and traditional Calabrian dishes. Fish-based dishes are particularly renowned, thanks to the abundance and variety of Mediterranean fish. Typical dishes include fish soup, swordfish alla ghiotta, and fried fish.
Conclusions
In conclusion, San Nicola Arcella is a charming coastal resort, immersed in the culture and history of Southern Italy. In addition to the beauty of its territory, the city offers a wide range of tourist activities, from cultural visits to water activities and delicious local cuisine. San Nicola Arcella is an ideal destination for those who want an authentic and memorable tourist experience in the magnificent Calabria.
