All SEE in Scilla

Piazza San Rocco is the most important square in the historic center of Scilla, one of the most famous coastal towns in Calabria. Located on a rocky terrace overlooking the Strait of Messina, the square occupies a privileged position above the sea and offers some of the most spectacular views along the Costa Viola, the stretch of coastline famous for its changing colors and dramatic landscapes. The square stands in the upper part of Scilla, above the fishing district of Chianalea and not far from the imposing Ruffo Castle. Thanks to its elevated location, Piazza San Rocco has long served as both a gathering place for local residents and a panoramic balcony from which visitors can admire the surrounding scenery. The square is also an important stop for photographers. The combination of historic architecture, open sea views, fishing boats, rugged cliffs, and distant mountains creates an exceptionally photogenic setting throughout the year.   Short History of Piazza San Rocco The history of Piazza San Rocco is closely linked to the development of Scilla itself. For centuries, the upper part of the town served as the administrative and religious center of the local community, while economic activities were concentrated closer to Read more [...]

The Marina Grande Beach, also known as Spiaggia delle Sirene (Beach of the Sirens), is the main beach of Scilla, a historic seaside town located on the Tyrrhenian coast of Calabria, in southern Italy. Stretching for approximately 800 meters, the beach lies between the imposing Ruffo Castle to the east and the rocky promontory of Punta Pacì to the west. Overlooking the waters of the Strait of Messina, Marina Grande Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Calabria. Its combination of crystal-clear water, spectacular views, ancient legends, and convenient location has made it one of the most visited seaside destinations in the region.   Short History of the Marina Grande Beach (Spiaggia delle Sirene) The Marina Grande District The beach takes its name from the Marina Grande district, one of the historic quarters of Scilla. Alongside the districts of Chianalea, San Giorgio, and Jeracari, Marina Grande has played a central role in the development of the town for centuries. Historically, Marina Grande served as the principal coastal area of Scilla. While the nearby district of Chianalea developed as a fishing village built directly on the rocks overlooking the sea, Marina Grande evolved as the town’s natural seaside waterfront. Read more [...]

The Port of Scilla is the main maritime facility of Scilla, a historic coastal town located on the Tyrrhenian coast of Calabria, in southern Italy. Positioned at the northern entrance to the Strait of Messina, the port has played an important role for centuries as a shelter for fishing vessels and boats navigating one of the most challenging stretches of water in the Mediterranean. Today, the Port of Scilla remains closely connected to the town’s maritime identity. It serves both the local fishing fleet and recreational boating activities, while also providing visitors with direct access to some of the most famous areas of Scilla, including the historic district of Chianalea and the imposing Ruffo Castle. The port is particularly associated with the traditional swordfish fishing culture that has shaped the economy and traditions of the local community for generations. The modern harbor offers facilities for fishing boats, pleasure craft, commercial operations, and service vessels. During the warmer months, additional seasonal mooring services are available, making the Port of Scilla an important reference point for boaters cruising along the Calabrian coast.   Short History of the Port of Scilla The history of the Port of Scilla is inseparable from the history Read more [...]

The Church of the Immaculate Conception is one of the most important religious landmarks in Scilla. Known in Italian as Chiesa dell’Immacolata, the church stands near the famous Ruffo Castle, overlooking the Strait of Messina. The Church of the Immaculate Conception represents an important part of the religious and historical heritage of Scilla. Over the centuries, it was repeatedly damaged by earthquakes and rebuilt several times. Today, the building combines historical architectural elements with modern reconstruction works completed during the 20th century.   Short History of the Church of the Immaculate Conception Early Christian Origins Ancient Greek parchments confirm the presence of a religious building on this site since the first centuries of Christianity. The church was closely connected to the nearby defensive fortress constructed around the 5th century. The strategic position of the church near the castle highlights its importance for the local community. The area represented both a military and spiritual center overlooking the Tyrrhenian coast of Calabria.   Norman Period and the Madonna dell’Itria During the Norman domination of southern Italy, the church was dedicated to the Madonna dell’Itria. This Marian devotion originated in the Greek religious tradition and later spread widely throughout southern Italy. The title Read more [...]

The Church of San Rocco is one of the most important religious landmarks in Scilla, a historic coastal town in southern Calabria. Dedicated to Saint Roch (San Rocco), the patron saint of Scilla, the church stands in Piazza San Rocco, overlooking part of the town. Although the current building is relatively recent, the history of the church and the devotion to its patron saint date back several centuries and are deeply connected to the identity of the local community.   Powered by GetYourGuide   San Rocco Saint Roch, known in Italian as San Rocco, is one of the most venerated saints in Europe and has long been associated with protection against plague and contagious diseases. Born in Montpellier, France, during the 14th century, he dedicated his life to helping the sick and the poor. According to tradition, he travelled through several Italian cities, caring for plague victims and performing miraculous healings. The iconography of San Rocco is easily recognizable. He is usually depicted as a pilgrim carrying a staff and showing a wound on his leg, a reference to the illness he contracted while assisting plague victims. A dog often appears beside him, recalling the legend according to which an Read more [...]

The Church of Santa Maria di Porto Salvo stands in the heart of Chianalea, the historic fishermen’s quarter of Scilla. Located in a small square overlooking the narrow streets of the village, the Church of Santa Maria di Porto Salvo represents an important religious, artistic, and cultural landmark closely connected to the maritime identity of the community. For centuries, the people of Chianalea have relied on the sea for their livelihood. As a result, devotion to the Virgin Mary under the title of Porto Salvo (Safe Harbor) became deeply rooted among local fishermen and sailors who sought divine protection before embarking on dangerous voyages through the waters of the Strait of Messina. Today, the church remains one of the most recognizable monuments in Chianalea. Its elegant façade, historic artworks, surviving eighteenth-century furnishings, and strong connection to local traditions make it an essential stop for visitors exploring Scilla’s historic center.   Powered by GetYourGuide   Short History of the Church of Santa Maria di Porto Salvo The origins of the Church of Santa Maria di Porto Salvo date back to the early eighteenth century, when the Brotherhood of Santa Maria di Porto Salvo commissioned the construction of a new place of Read more [...]

The Chapel of Madonnina del Mare is a small religious shrine located along Via San Francesco da Paola in the coastal town of Scilla, in the southern Italian region of Calabria. Built inside a natural-looking cavity carved into the rock, the chapel overlooks the waters of the Strait of Messina, one of the most important maritime passages in the Mediterranean. The chapel houses a bronze statue of the Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus, positioned on a marble altar inside the grotto. Due to its strategic location near the entrance to the Port of Scilla, the sanctuary is commonly known as Madonnina del Porto.   Short History of the Chapel of Madonnina del Mare The cave that houses the chapel is closely connected to the events of the Second World War. During the conflict, German military forces operating in the area excavated a shelter within the rocky coastline. After the end of the war, the tunnel-like cavity remained part of the coastal landscape. The modern development of the chapel began during the early post-war decades. Around the middle of the twentieth century, the coastal road known as Via San Francesco da Paola was constructed, improving access to the area and Read more [...]

Fontana Storica della Sirena (Historic Mermaid Fountain) is a small but distinctive monument located in the historic district of Chianalea, the oldest and most characteristic quarter of Scilla. Situated along Via Grotte, approximately 100 meters from the Port of Scilla, the fountain is one of the many landmarks that contribute to the unique atmosphere of this famous Calabrian fishing village. Although it is not an ancient monument, the fountain has become an integral part of the urban landscape of Chianalea. Its location within a small open space between traditional buildings allows visitors to encounter it naturally while exploring the narrow streets that run alongside the sea. The monument celebrates one of the themes most closely associated with Scilla: the relationship between the town and the legendary figure of Scylla. For centuries, local traditions, literature, and historical interpretations have linked the settlement to the famous mythological creature associated with the Strait of Messina. The fountain reflects the identity of a village that has always lived in close connection with the sea. Fishing, navigation, and maritime traditions have shaped the history of Scilla for centuries, and the monument serves as a visual reminder of that enduring relationship.   Powered by GetYourGuide   Read more [...]