Do you remember the Greek myth about a young nymph, punished
by the sorceress Circe, jealous because she
had stolen her love, Glauco, and turned into a six dog-headed monster, that
used to terrify every ship crossing the Strait of Messina?
Today we will talk about a little town near Reggio Calabria,
in the very south of Italy :
Scilla, named after this ancient legend, narrated
by Homer and Dante.
Scilla captured the attention of another famous writer,
Alexandre Dumas,who was impressed by the unique position of the town, that, turning
like an S, from the mountain descends to the sea, in the stunning Violet Coast,
so called because of the color reflected by water at sunset.
Because of its strategic position, Scilla was fortified by
Greeks during 4th century B.C. to defend the population against the many raids
by Tyrrhenian pirates. Over the centuries this fort, called Oppidum Scyllaeum
by Romans, became a military district occupied by Normans, Angevins and Aragonese, till 1533,
when it became part of Ruffo family estate. Today it hosts a lighthouse controlled
by Italian Navy.
Near Ruffo Castle you can find Marina Grande, the touristic
area: here you can walk by seaside, swim, or admire the Holy Spirit Church,
example of Italian baroque. If you come in Scilla during Saint Rocco
celebrations, in August, you can assist to an amazing fireworks show that takes
place on the beach.
Here we are to the reason why we fell in love with Scilla:
Chianalea, the enchanted fishing village where the houses, built on the rocks,
overlook the sea, and they are brushed by the waves over and over again.
Infact, this village is known as “Little Venice of the South”, and it’s one of the most poetic and romantic
places in the South of Italy. If you come here in a placid summer night, the
experience become magic : you can walk
down the alleys, smell the sea between the houses and admire the starry sky
reflected in it.
Food: In Calabria you can taste both fish dishes based on
local products like swordfish, shellfish, octopuses, and delicacies from mountains
like cold cuts, cheeses, vegetables and meat sauces for handmade pasta (maccaruni).
To end your meal you shouldn’t miss
traditional cookies made with honey, almonds and dried figs. (mostaccioli,
piparelle, petrali)
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| Piparelle |
You can reach Scilla:
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Driving your car:
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Salerno-Reggio Calabria highway- Scilla exit
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By train:
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Scilla or Villa San Giovanni FS station
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By airplane:
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