Scilla, Calabria

Scilla
Comune
Comune di Scilla
The Castle of Scilla.
Coat of arms
Location of Scilla
Country	Italy
Region	Calabria
Province	Reggio Calabria (RC)
Frazioni	Favazzina, Melia, Solano Superiore
Government
• Mayor	Gaetano Ciccone (since May 14, 2001)
Area
• Total	43.68 km2 (16.86 sq mi)
Elevation	91 m (299 ft)
Population  (September 2009)
• Total	5,162
• Density	120/km2 (310/sq mi)
Demonym	Scillesi
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	89058
Dialing code	0965
Patron saint	St. Roch
Saint day	August 16
Website	Official website

Scilla (Greek: Skylla) is a town and comune in Calabria, Italy, administratively part of the Province of Reggio Calabria. It is the traditional site of the sea monster Scylla of Greek mythology.

The Marina Grande

Chianalea and the Castle

The town, 22 kilometres (14 mi) from the city of Reggio, lies in front of the strait of Messina, and it is composed of two parts: the downtown, where the town offices and the residence of the patronal saint are situated, and Marina di Scilla, the beach-front, populated by tourists and thus heavily characterized by hotels and restaurants. Since its beach is the first place north of Reggio Calabria where the waters are not cooled down by the strait draughts.

The Ruffo Castle, a fortress built by the Dukes of Calabria overlooks the beach. On a seaward-facing terrace is Scilla Lighthouse, an important aid to ships entering the Strait of Messina from the north.

The village suffered greatly from the 1783 Calabria earthquakes.

Twin towns

Scilla has been twinned with the following:

• Ħamrun, Malta

See also

• Scilla Lighthouse
• Scyllaeum
• Calabrian wine