OUR TOWN: VILLAPIANA

The town area extends from the hilly spurs of the Pollino facing the Sibari plain to the sea, between the streams Satanasso and Saraceno. Here, the 9 km stretch of coast is characterized by fine sand and numerous beach resorts which host a great flux of tourists every year.

The oldest part of the village, that was originally called Casalnuovo dates back to the fourteenth century, even if the numerous archaeological finds from the surrounding area prove a substantial continuity of settlement from the middle Bronze Age onwards. The village was under the jurisdiction of different feudal lords and only in 1862 it has been called by its present name. In its historic centre, one of the most suggestive of the upper Ionian coast, the ruins of the fourteenth-century castle can be admired, the churches of Santa Maria del Piano and of the Immaculate Conception, along with various noblemen's houses. In the Villapiana district, moreover, there are some monasteries and two well-preserved coastal towers.

The newest residential area, that is divided into two separate centres, the " Lido " and the "Scalo" has developed along the coast among thick pine copses. Nowadays it is a well-known seaside resort, provided with modern hotel complexes and superbly equipped for sport and entertainment.

The equipped beaches and pine woods which reach the coast invite to stop along the coastal strip, where, in the district of Torre Cerchiara, rises a sighting tower against pirates with drawbridge, recently restored. You can also walk in the woods around the area, often equipped to cook meat over charcoal. 

Tower of the castle

Of the medieval castle, called in time of the Sanseverino, of the princes Caraffa and of the Pignatelli remain still visible ruins in the heart of the town of Villapiana . It was built around 1300 by the princes Caraffa as a fortified structure together with the foundation of Casalnuovo (ancient name of Villapiana). Restored in 1500, it still preserves the remains of a cylindrical tower which dates back to XVI century, a square tower with tuff-blocks loopholes of the same period and remains of embattled walls.

On the western side of the imposing castle which used to dominate the plane of Alto Jonio, the walls lean on a cliff facing the Satanasso stream. Negligence and time have caused great damages to the structure.

Convent of Sant'Antonio

The Capuchin friars built it in 1590 outside the village. The structure has remained almost unvaried and features an arched stone portal surmounted by the coat of arms of the Pignatelli family. The interior preserves a wooden chiselled altar, with a ciborium in the centre, surmounted by a wooden crucifix of XVIII century, and the statues of the Madonna del Carmine and Sant'Antonio.

CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS:
San Francesco di Paola (Patron) - April 2
For the day dedicated to the patron saint of Villapiana are provided only religious rites.
Madonna del Piano - August 15
The festivities in honor of Our Lady of the Plan are well attended. Among the lights and colors of lights, after the celebration of Mass, a procession winds accompanying the statue of the Madonna in the main streets of the historic center. In the afternoon entertainment provided various folk and popular games. In the evening, however, are the inevitable concert of light music in the square and the spectacular fireworks.

FAIRS AND MARKETS
Fair of San Francisco - April 2
Fiera di San Vito - June 15
Animal Fair - Aug. 22
Daily markets (selling groceries)
Weekly Markets - Wednesday (Villapiana Center), Friday (Lido and Scalo)
Monthly market - the second Sunday of the month