History and myth intertwine in this splendid view of the Costa Viola, dominated by the suggestive Saracen Tower of the 16th century, from which it is possible to embrace, with a single glance, the portion of sea that goes from Capo Vaticano to the Aeolian Islands.
We are in Palmi, where the Archaeological Park of the Taurians was established a few years ago, evidence of a long period of past history ranging from the Middle Bronze Age (14th century B.C.) to the late antiquity (5th century A.D.).
The area extends right in the area where, once upon a time, stood Taureana, a city of Brettian origin, later re-planned by the Romans, as can be seen from the ancient road, built between the 1st and 2nd century AD, which starts the route inside the park; from the remains of the building that served as a theatre and amphitheatre; and from the podium of the Italic temple, where popular belief places the legend of Donna Canfora.
It was a noblewoman, widowed, kind and very beautiful, who apparently had hidden a treasure inside the temple, which many tried to find.
But Donna Canfora’s story is linked to another anecdote, the one that saw her reject the offer of love by a Saracen, who lured her by deception to his ship, from which she threw herself so as not to sully her husband’s memory.
It is said, that at the very spot where the woman drowned, the waters turned blue and emerald green and the bottom was covered with seaweed. The memory of Donna Canfora is still alive today when the waves, breaking on land, simulate the woman’s embrace to her land.
