Faro di Scilla

The Faro di Scilla stands on the castle rock above Chianalea, a small naval lighthouse overlooking the Strait of Messina. The Castello Ruffo hosts the working light, joining the town's historic fortress with the maritime passage below.

Why it matters

The lighthouse remains part of the Marina Militare's coastal-lighting network and a familiar feature of Scilla's silhouette. The station, listed as “Scilla - sul castello,” began operating in 1913.

What to notice

The cylindrical masonry tower is six metres high, set against the castle walls. Its lantern emits a white flash with a five-second period; positioned 72 metres above sea level, the light has a nominal range of 22 nautical miles. The modest tower's scale contrasts with the expansive strait it overlooks.

Context and history

The Marina Militare records the lighthouse's activation in 1913. Its position on the castle rock places modern coastal navigation within a landscape long associated with watching over the Strait of Messina. The station continues to serve as a maritime reference light between the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas.