Situated in the fantastic places of the Homer legend of Scylla and Charybdis, and in a favourable position for its closeness to Sicily and Reggio Calabria - characterized by the splendid imagery of the Viola coast, is the Atlafiumara Castle; unique for its art and the natural scenery in which it is surrounded.

The castle is a Bourbon fortress/stronghold of the late 18th century, surrounded by Oak trees, Scots Pine and Maritime or Cluster pine trees, Olive trees, Myrtles and Prickly Pear plants which are typical Mediterranean vegetation. Its guests can enjoy the 10-hectare park overlooking the sea where there is a choice of a having a stroll through sculptures by contemporary artists, or through the organic vegetable garden or along the so-called “walk through the aromatic herbs”.

The art route of Altafiumara has been organized by the “Niccolo Arte Moderna” Gallery of Parma, and includes works by contemporary artists of the calibre of Giuseppe Uncini, Agostino Bonalumi, Emilio Isgrò, or great artists of the past such as Mario Schifano, Alik Caviliere, Emilio Scanavino and Conrad Marca-Relli.
The castle dominates the Viola coast, the shoreline which goes north from Santa Trada towards Scilla, Bagnara and Palmivenisse, being called this for the chromatic effect that the mountainous terrain creates with the waters underneath. The region is popular due to its tradition of swordfish fishing, carried out with the characteristic “spadara” sword-fishing nets.

In the summer period, the restaurants in the area offer the not-to-be-missed “swordfish alla bagnarota” (swordfish cooked with lemon, capers, garlic, parsley, olive oil, salt and pepper in a bain-marie) as not to be missed also is the Swordfish Festival in July, the ‘torrone’ nougat of Bagnara, which can be tasted in the numerous confectioner’s in the town, and the durum wheat bread which is produced in the hamlet of Pellegrina.

Furthermore, the castle never ceases to fascinate due to its ancient history: built between the 8th and 9th centuries, it has been host to a monastery and the Church of the Basilian monks; was conquered by the Normans around 1060; then passed into the control of the Swabians (Suebi), Angevins and Aragonesi.
Enraptured by the scenario of the straits and by the fragrance in the gardens of bergamot, which is typical of the Calabria region, you can delight in gastronomical tastings at the “I Due Mari” Restaurant, or sip vintage wines from the well-stocked “Academy of Wine” wine cellar.