Spilinga

Welcome to Spilinga, a small but fiercely authentic village situated on the Poro Plateau in the province of Vibo Valentia, Calabria. While many visitors are drawn to the nearby 'Pearl of the Tyrrhenian,' Tropea, Spilinga offers a…

Venturing just outside the village center, we find ourselves in the Valle delle Fiumare, a verdant valley where the 'Ancient Roman Aqueducts of Spilinga' are located. These structures, built of local stone, feature a series of…

No visit to Spilinga is complete without acknowledging its most famous export: 'Nduja. This spicy, spreadable pork sausage is made with a high concentration of Calabrian chili peppers, giving it its characteristic fiery red color…

The social heart of Spilinga is Piazza San Michele, a quiet square named after the village's patron saint. The architecture here is typical of rural Calabria—stone houses with wrought-iron balconies, many adorned with pots of…

On the outskirts of Spilinga lies a site of spiritual and historical intrigue: the Caves of San Leo. These natural grottoes were used as a retreat by the hermit saint Leo, who lived here in contemplation during the medieval…

To understand Spilinga, one must understand the soil of the Poro Plateau. The sources describe Calabria as a region of 'extraordinary natural beauty,' and the plateau is its agricultural engine. …

As we return to the more modern parts of Spilinga, we see how the village is evolving while holding onto its roots. New buildings stand alongside old stone ones, and digital signs advertise the 'Nduja Festival. …

Our journey through Spilinga has been one of fire, stone, and spirit. We have walked the arches of the ancient aqueduct, witnessed the fiery creation of the 'Nduja, and breathed the silent air of San Leo's caves. …