Scilla
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Latest page update: 5 February 2025
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By Dion Protani
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One of the jewels of the Calabria region, the seaside town of Scilla is a picture-postcard setting comprising a beach and a charming old fishing village with brightly painted houses seemingly woven together. Facing the Tyrrhenian Sea, on a clear day it's possible to see the smoking island volcano of Stromboli in the distance.
The town is in fact split into two distinct areas along its coastline with the castle, Castello Ruffo marking the dividing line. To the west of the castle is what's known locally as Scilla while to the east is the old town or "borgo" known as Chianalea. |
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Mythical origins
Scilla is an historic place; it takes its name from a legendary sea-monster known as "Scylla" which was included in Homer's Odyssey and along with the nearby whirlpool "Charybdis" menaced the book's hero as he passed this way.
That sense of history is further strengthened when examining the lifespan of Castello Ruffo more closely. Its initial construction date is said to be 493 BC and it has lived through the Etruscan, Magna Graecia and Roman years of civilisation, and then acting as an important bulwark against the ever-raiding Saracens throughout the Middle Ages.
That sense of history is further strengthened when examining the lifespan of Castello Ruffo more closely. Its initial construction date is said to be 493 BC and it has lived through the Etruscan, Magna Graecia and Roman years of civilisation, and then acting as an important bulwark against the ever-raiding Saracens throughout the Middle Ages.
Chianalea
There is much to enjoy to enjoy in the town; apart from the obvious attractions of its sandy beach there are plenty of restaurants, shops and bars, while away from the summer months there's plenty of interest and intrigue to be found at the castle and throughout the borgo of Chianalea.
This beautiful borgo isn't always precisely detailed on many maps but it's important to make the distinction, with Chianalea being listed under the Borghi Più Belli d'Italia (Italy's Most Beautiful Villages).
Situated on the Tyrrhenian Coast in the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria province, it's just a short drive from here to Villa San Giovanni, the port from which you sail to and from Sicily across the Straits of Messina.
Scilla is just off the main motorway that runs between Reggio Calabria and Salerno in Campania; there's also a train station with some memorable train journeys to be had as you amble along the coastline.
This beautiful borgo isn't always precisely detailed on many maps but it's important to make the distinction, with Chianalea being listed under the Borghi Più Belli d'Italia (Italy's Most Beautiful Villages).
Situated on the Tyrrhenian Coast in the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria province, it's just a short drive from here to Villa San Giovanni, the port from which you sail to and from Sicily across the Straits of Messina.
Scilla is just off the main motorway that runs between Reggio Calabria and Salerno in Campania; there's also a train station with some memorable train journeys to be had as you amble along the coastline.
Comune di Scilla
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Province: Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria
Region: Calabria Population: 4,476 (in 2024 - source) Size: 44 km² Highlights: Castello Ruffo, Chianalea, colourful houses, beach Close by: Pizzo, Tropea, Sila National Park, Pentedattilo Recommended accommodation: Hotel Scilla |
