Norman-Swabian Castle of Vibo Valentia

The Norman-Swabian Castle is the main historic landmark of Vibo Valentia and dominates the urban centre from a strategic position. Today it is not just a fortress to visit but a complete cultural venue: inside it houses the National Archaeological Museum "Vito Capialbi", dedicated to finds from ancient Hipponion and the Roman phase of the city. The visit is ideal for those who wish to combine architecture, history and archaeology in a single stop, with panoramic views that also help to orientate oneself in the upper part of the city. What to see: the castle structures and the highest points, with views over Vibo Valentia and towards the Carmine quarter; the rooms of the "Vito Capialbi" Museum, with finds and testimonies of ancient Hipponion. Curiosity: the museum houses the famous Hipponion orphic gold tablet, a thin sheet of gold engraved with instructions linked to mystery cults and the "journey" to the afterlife — one of the rarest and most fascinating finds in the territory.