Ricadi

Sister cities

• Mogliano Veneto

History

The origins of Ricadi are unknown. According to legend, it was probably founded at the time of the Saracen invasions, during or after the 10th century. By this time, the Saracens had settled around Rombiolo. Ricadi appears to have been almost reduced to rubble by the earthquake which struck towards the end of the 18th century, it was also heavily damaged by the one which struck at the beginning of the 20th century. The place-name 'Ricade' or 'Rigade' appeared for the first time in the 16th and 17th centuries, and suggests a derivation from the surname 'Riga' or 'Rigà', which was quite surname in Calabria. Over the centuries Ricadi has been populated by Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Normans: they built and blasted road and defensive infrastructures (roads, bridges, towers defending coasts and rivers). Many archaeological discoveries are still visible; others are well protected, being houses in the National Museum of Reggio Calabria. For a time, Ricadi was ancillary to the town of Tropea. In 1799 the Ricadesi obtained their independence thanks to Championnet, a French general who conquered the Kingdom of Naples (which Ricadi was formerly part of). Ricadi became a municipality of the Monteleone district (now Vibo Valentia), belonging to Calabria Ulteriore, because of a rule set in 1811. Before becoming one of the main tourist destinations of the lower Tyrrhennian Sea, Grotticelle was populated by people who lived on agriculture and fishing. By the mid '80s, this place became one of the main economic driving force of the overall economy of Ricadi. Thanks to tourism, over the past decades, incomes and living standards have increasingly improved for local inhabitants (according to some, the per capita income of the town is one of the highest in Calabria). Near…

Geography

The municipality of Ricadi is located between the gulfs of Lamezia Terme and Gioia Tauro. Capo Vaticano lies between these two gulfs. The Tyrrhenian Sea touches Ricadi to the west. The municipality has about of coasts. The following winds blow along the coast of Ricadi: * the Sirocco, a hot, dry wind originating in the Sahara desert (it blows from the South-East); * the Libeccio, a humid westerly wind which frequently makes the sea rough and may form violent westerly squalls. * the Mistral, a dry cold northerly wind which blows in winter.