Until the 16th century it was called “Capo delle Colonne” (that is, Cape of Columns), because some of the multiple columns of the temple of Hera Lacinia were still preserved in the place. Its importance lies in the amount of historical elements that are linked to this point of land that extends over the Ionian Sea. Sadly, it was used as a hewn stone quarry for the castle, harbor and local noble palaces until only a single column was left in sight of the sailors, raised among the ruins.
On the promontory there is also a sanctuary dedicated to the Madonna of Capocolonna. An image of the Virgin attributed to Saint Lucas is venerated due to the dark color of the portrait’s skin. According to tradition, the image was taken by turkish pirates during a siege. They tried to destroy it by setting it on fire but they found that it did not burn. Not having been able to burn it, they tried to take it with them, but to their horror they found that the boat in which they wanted to transport it was not moving, so, frightened, they ended up throwing it into the sea. The image was found on the beach by a fisherman who kept in until, near death, he revealed his possession. Byzantine-style painting is preserved in Crotone Cathedral and every year on the third Sunday in May there is a nocturnal pilgrimage that goes up to the sanctuary of Capocolonna to commemorate the miracle.
Next to the sanctuary is the Torre de la Nao, dating from the 16th century.
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