Comune di Ricadi
Municipal coat of arms
Country	Italy
Region	Calabria
Province	Vibo Valentia (VV)
Mayor	Laria Domenico website = ricadi.asmenet.it
Elevation	m ( ft)
Area	km² ( sq mi)
Population (as of 2004)
- Total
- Density	/km² (/sq mi)
Time zone	CET, [[UTC+1]]
Coordinates	38°62′N, 15°86′E
Gentilic	Ricadesi
Dialing code	0963
Postal code	89866, 89865
Frazioni	Barbalàconi, Brivàdi, Capo Vaticano, Ciaramìti, Lampazòne, Orsigliàdi, Santa Domenica, Santa Maria, San Nicolò
Patron	St. Zachary
- Day	November 5

Ricadi is a small rural town, as well as a municipality, located along the Tyrrhennian coast, within the Vibo Valentia district (license plate is VV), in Calabria.

Ricadi - The sun setting over Stromboli- on right Capo Vaticano promontory. ME)

- photo from Grotticelle main beach.

Geography

Boundaries

The municipality of Ricadi is located between the gulfs of Lamezia Terme (Catanzaro district) and Gioia Tauro (Reggio Calabria district). Capo Vaticano lies between these two gulfs. The Tyrrhenian sea touches Ricadi to the West (about 12 kilometres of coasts).

Winds

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. It may prove very dangerous for shippers and water sport enthusiasts;
• the Mistral, a dry cold northerly wind which blows in winter.

Main distances

Maps

Ricadi and its neighbouring municipalities

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, Carthaginians, Byzantines, Saracens, 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 disctrict (now Vibo Valentia), belonging to Calabria Ulteriore, because of a rule set in 1811.

Culture

"The Farming Museum", Museo d’Arte Contadina, opened to the public in May 1992. The collection, made up by near to 500 finds, shows variety rudimentary farming machinery, tools to process local crops such as flax and broom fibre, and terracotta ware. Housed by the ‘Giuseppe Berto’ Conference Centre, the collection is on permanent display.

Events

• "Giuseppe Berto Literary Prize", Premio Letterario Giuseppe Berto. The writer Giuseppe Berto was born in Mogliano Veneto, but made Capo Vaticano his second home. The Prize is awarded every June, in Ricadi and Mogliano Veneto on alternative years. The 2003 edition marked a turning point, since the prize was divided into two separate categories: the historical one to be awarded to an emerging writer, and a new category focusing on foreign fiction. The latter prize is awarded to a living author whose work has been published in Italian.
• "Capo Vaticano Sporting Prize", Premio Sportivo Capo Vaticano, every year in September. Established in 1987, the Capo Vaticano Sporting Prize has the objective of recognizing and promoting the educational value of football, as well as uniting all those who are fond of Calabria. It is awarded to Italian referees, footballers and journalists of regional and national renown.
• "Red Onion Festival", La Sagra della Cipolla Rossa: every year on 13th of August. The festival starts in the mid-afternoon with a variety of games are played in Piazza Marconi, the main square of the village:

The traditional ‘Pignata’ Tournament in which the contestants are blindfolded and, helped by bystanders, use a long wooden stick to break one or more pignatas, or terra-cotta pots, which are suspended from a string. Pignatas are sometimes filled with water. The ‘Bumbuleju’ Race is for women of all ages. Contestants … race from one end of the square to the other, carrying the terra-cotta pot on their heads without using their hands. Other games include the Egg Race, the Sack Race, the Mini-marathon, the Onion Race, the Cheese-rolling tournament; Typical onion-dish sampling starts at dinner time. At exactly midnight the ‘Camejuzzu i Focu’ dance is performed. The traditional fireworks display closes the festival.

• "Ice-Cream Festival": each summer, in July.

Festivities

• Religious Festivities are solemnized in honor of Saint Zaccaria (the Patron Saint - on 5 November); Saint Biagio (on 3 February), Saint Antonio from Padua (on 13 June); Saint Domenica (on 6 July); Virgin Mary of Graces (on 15 August).

Associations

• "Friends of Giuseppe Berto" (the panel of judges for the literary prize)
• "Noi di Ricadi" (people from Ricadi - editorial staff of Terra Nostra newspaper)

Economy

The main economic resources are:

• agriculture: famous red onions from Tropea, “Cipolla Rossa di Tropea”, are grown all along the coast. They are then processed and shipped throughout Italy, northern Europe, and elsewhere. In addition, vegetables, citruses (oranges, lemons, bergamots) and ‘nduja, a salami made from seasoned pork and red hot pepper, are produced;
• fishing: right-eyed flatfish, tunny, bass, dentex, sea bream, conger, mullet, moray, polypus;
• sea tourism: the most famous localities are Capo Vaticano and Grotticelle (little grottoes).

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Ricadi

External links

• News on Ricadi (in Italian)

Calabria · Comuni of the Province of Vibo Valentia
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