CHIANALEA SCILLA (RC)
The origins are ancient, confused between the mythology, history, legend and poetic images fed for millennia by the suggestiveness of the natural environment. Pausanias (grammarian of Caesarea), says that Scylla was the daughter of Nisus, king of Megara. The princess helped King Minos against his own father allowing him to conquer the lands that were under his dominion. The winner then, not only refused to marry her, but he abandoned the sea waves, which carried the body of Greek admirable workmanship, at the foot of the promontory which was given the name of vague unhappy girl:
"It is 12 miles from Messina, along the coast FEBEA. "According Palifato, Polybius and Strabo the first inhabited Scilla dates back to the times of the Trojan War. In this remote epoch it is customary to recognize in the Italian peninsula waves of migrations of populations from the Iberian-Ligurian sea and southbound. It is therefore considered that these populations may have founded a few villages along the terraces of the lower ridge harsh mountainous southwestern, sloping to the Strait. Being people of fishermen, presumably elected as a settlement area the site adjacent to the central rock of Scylla, where the presence of the numerous rocks facilitated the practice of fishing, while allowing the construction of rudimentary huts.
This hypothesis is supported in part by Homer himself when, in describing Crataia as mother of Scilla, suggests the existence of a close link between this and the birth of the myth of monstruum Scylaeum, understood yet risen to the first human settlement of the stretch of sea in front of the town today. Since Crataia is by many identified with the nearby creek Favazzina, yet at the time of the Barrio called river fish, it could be argued that groups of people engaged in fishing, arrived by sea along the lower Tyrrhenian coast, initially to be landed mouth of this river,


The oldest town of Scilla is Chianalea and derives its name from "floor of the galley," but it is also called Acquagrande or Canalea, because small houses built directly on the rocks are separated from each other by small alleys, like channels , which descend directly into the Tyrrhenian Sea.
History
where it was easier to practice the activity, and then have moved further south, transferring their residence at the coast Scilla, richer fish. In the absence of previous reliable evidence about the ancient times, it is likely to be traced back to the first fortification of Scilla the early fifth century BC, when during the tyranny of the city of Reggio Anassilao attained considerable importance, which allowed her to hinder for more than two centuries the rise of rival powers.
Strabo relates that in 493 BC the tyrant of Reggio, Anassila the young, to put an end to the repeated raids perpetrated by Tyrrhenian pirates to the detriment of businesses opened by the city with the Tyrrhenian colonies, had moved against them with a strong army, defeating and driving out pirates from these lands. For Tyrrhenians countless rocks and high rock characterizing the coast Scilla were a natural refuge ideal, inaccessible place from which to direct profitable raids along the coasts, safe hiding place for the loot and bulwark of defense against any enemy counter attacks.
Presumably arose then contrasts and struggles among the first sailors and fishermen who had occupied the area and the pirates Tirreni, whose bellicosity perhaps needs to be on the cause of the retreat from the sea fishermen, hampered by pirates in practice based on which their livelihoods. This would explain the transfer of residence to the upper area of Scilla - the current district of San Giorgio - implemented by these seafaring people, who turn into farmers and hunters and maintain active then the new practices to the modern age.
Most expert in navigation, the Tyrrhenians had long dominated by the undisputed masters of the Mediterranean routes, exerting its dominance especially in the Strait, thanks to the protest site on the cliff Scilla, mouth of the channel, presumably fortified. Later, however, they were defeated by reggini, this victory that marks a significant moment in the history of Scilla, considered by Anassila an important outpost of control over shipping routes. While ensuring the domination of the surrounding territory by incorporating a new section of Chersonese reggino, while Anassila cares to realize a "station of the ships" in Punta Pacì, ordering the construction of a port with a fierce military garrison.

The fortification of the high cliff was completed by successive tyrants reggini, often engaged in clashes with the pirates who fight using the fortified port specially built Monacena towards Punta Pacì, in an inaccessible place on the opposite side of the rock. Bulwark of security reggini, the fortification of Scilla with landing is crucial to the effects of the successful outcome of the war against piracy, allowing tyrants of Reggio oppose a viable long resistance against the attacks of new enemies and against continuous attempts of revenge Tirreni defeated.
At the beginning of the third century BC, after the capture of Reggio by the tyrant of Syracuse Dionysius I, who in 386 BC had destroyed the naval fleet stationed in the city of Lipari and the port of Scilla, The Tyrrhenian pirates returned to be bold and resettled on the promontory Scilla, where they resumed to devote himself to making use of the existing piracy fortified port until, in 344 BC, the brave Timoleon of Corinth was able to defeat them permanently.
As for the subsequent history of the fortification of the imposing rock of Scylla, we have evidence of how it coincides with the history of the events that have characterized the aftermath of tyranny reggino Syracuse. In later years the rock magnogreca Scilla is a fortress, known as Oppidum Scyllaeum subsequently enhanced in its military structures during the Roman period, when the port and oppidum constitute a functional and efficient defense system to the new rulers of the Mediterranean.
At the end of the second century BC, during the wars waged by the Romans against Tarantini supported by Pirro, and especially during the First and the Second Punic War, the Carthaginians who had formed an alliance with Brett and circulated freely along the coasts Reggine, were stopped in their ascent thanks to the valiant resistance from their fortified town of Scilla, an ally of Rome.
The importance of Scilla Latin began to decline after the Roman conquest of the land of Sicily when, after Reggio and Syracuse, Messina rose to the role of new benchmark for the control of the Straits.

Nevertheless Scilla, at the start of the northern channel, continued to be an important step landing along the Tyrrhenian coast mainland, so much so that in 73 BC, during the war waged by the Romans against the slaves, the town seems to be was chosen by Spartacus, a rebel leader, to camp waiting to cross the Strait.
The escape in Sicily, designed by the rebel slaves with the use of rafts made with chestnut wood extracted from the woods Scilla, did not however inconclusive due to the presence along the Strait of threatening ships Pompeii. Subsequently, the stretch of sea off the town was the scene of the events that marked the last clash between Pompey and the year of the triumvirate, which ended in 42 BC with the defeat of the former.
At that juncture the port of Scilla offered appropriate shelter to ships from the fleet of Octavian pressed Pompey, when the future Augustus, in an attempt to postpone the final battle at a more propitious moment to him, seized the strategic importance of Scylla and, Once freed definitely rivals, decreed the further fortification of its port.
After Octavian does not appear that the fortification Scilla has known new rearrangements, although the city continues to hold the important role of local maritime center, as evidenced by St. Jerome when, in 385 landed in Scilla during his journey to Jerusalem, left us testimony in the third book of his work, about the great experience of the sailors Scilla, able to provide very useful tips for the success of navigation.
The state of abandonment in which seems to be the fortress of Scylla in the late Roman period, presumably depends localize the same outside of overland routes traveled by the Barbarians during their invasions in the south of the peninsula. They, in fact, in their "fall" to the south, using the Roman road layouts remained viable at the time of forfeiture. Scylla, who was not connected to the Popilia, only existing consular road along the Tyrrhenian coast, therefore remains foreign to the essential facts of the time.
In fact, the Consular Road Popilia, the southernmost stretch of his career not tacked the coast, but went back to the inside through Solano, and past the Caves Tremusa, reached the statio Plans of Melia, then head Cannitello, 'to Fretum "no fall back towards Scylla. In early Byzantine monks historians attribute the foundation of the monastery and the church of San Pancrazio, between the eighth and ninth centuries AD, fortified by the will of the same Byzantium, who had entrusted the task to the Fathers of the coastal defense of the Straits.
The earthquake of 1783 represents a watershed in the history of Scilla for the particularity with which struck the town and also because it represented the end of an economic development that Scilla had throughout the eighteenth century.

Summary ...
• Homeric age, legend has it that it was the Trojan exiles to be the first settlement under the cliff, where thanks to the numerous rocks was easier the practice of fishing.

• 456 AD, the village is destroyed by the Vandals. • VIII-IX sec., The Byzantine rule guarantees the land of Scilla a certain prosperity; the castle is inhabited by
Italian-Greek monks, called the Basilian Fathers.
• IX-XI sec., The Calabrian coast are disrupted by the ferocious Saracens.
• 1060, the Normans after a long siege of the castle occupied the village and drive away the Byzantines forever.
• XI-XIV sec., Under the Swabians Scilla knows a period of prosperity thanks to trade with the East and the main ports of the Adriatic. Then passes under the rule of the Aragonese and then the Angevins.
• 1523, Paolo Ruffo, Count of Sinopoli and captain of arms, in Reggio Calabria, buy the fief of Scilla and prevents the ferocious pirate Barbarossa from landing on these shores. The Ruffo family, of ancient origins, has marked the history of Scilla, like that of Calabria, bringing its members to hold office of vicars, viceroys, marshals, bishops, cardinals.
• in 1720, the castle of Scilla is fortified by the Austrians to defend it by the Spanish in 1734 but returned in possession of the Two Sicilies. In 1783 a terrible earthquake-tsunami destroys the village.
• 1827, the faded star of Napoleon, the Bourbons, returned masters of the Kingdom, also put in Scilla a town watch.
Little Venice of the South
Ancient village of Scilla, Chianalea is called "Little Venice" for the way the houses are situated: resting completely on the water. On "Scaro Hauling", which offers the landing to the fishing boats, an imposing architectural harmony Palace Scategna, current hotel "The Prince." Continuing

for small streets of Chianalea you can observe ancient fountains and churches. All this is supervised by the austere Ruffo Castle, the fortress that is the same monster Homeric. Built for military purposes, the imposing building was converted to residential use by Count Paolo Ruffo who in 1532 took over the fief of Scilla to previous lords. From the Castle, the seat of conferences and exhibitions of art, you can enjoy a wonderful view including the Aeolian Islands and the Sicilian coast.

Typical products
One of the main activities which was dedicated the people, until a few years ago, was fishing that found its highest expression in the "hunt" for swordfish (traditional fishing) conducted with the otters, a special rowing boat used until years fifty, and subsequently with the walkway, a special motor boat with a long walkway at the bow and a high antenna unit, said falere, which serves to detect the presence of the fish. Another activity is the growing tourism, attracting Scilla for the sea, the beaches, the food and drink, the natural beauty and architectural works.
In addition to the swordfish, the area offers the flavors of the wine, the Cerasolo of Scilla, made from grapes, raisins and lemons quality "verdelho" (pictured above) and also the essential oil of bergamot.
    
Typical dishes
 
The swordfish is the undisputed king of gastronomy scillana: here, as in Bagnara, is cooked according to traditional recipes, baked (pictured above), or in the sauce in the pan of macaroni.
"Gghiotta swordfish"
For persone400 2-3 grams of fresh swordfish 2 tablespoons pinoli2 tablespoons green olives Farina qbOlio extra virgin olive oil
250 grams of pomodori1 tablespoon capers
1 handful of raisins CipollaBasilico
Chop the fish, infarinatelo and fry in a pan for a few minutes, taking care to leave the pulp soft and not too crunchy. Remove from pan and place on paper towels. In another pan, saute a little 'onion in a tablespoon of oil, after joining the pitted olives, pine nuts, capers and raisins. Sauté the ingredients together for a few minutes, finally add the chopped tomatoes and a pinch of salt. Cook until the sauce has formed congealed at the right point. Add the pieces of fish previously fried, stir a few minutes over low heat, add the basil and serve. In the event that you were to use it as a sauce for pasta, the procedure is always the same, simply add the pasta, after cooked in the pan and toss with the sauce a few minutes. I recommend, however, to cut the fish into smaller pieces.

Festivals and Events not to be missed ...

The religious festival which is celebrated in honor of the patron saint San Rocco sees a procession held between the neighborhoods of the village, culminating in Piazza San Rocco with a fireworks display.
The October Scillese is instead an event dedicated to the craft traditions and food and wine.
Swordfish Festival - August - An event of cultural promotion aimed at recovering ancient folk traditions, tied to old and new systems are characterized by the traditional hunting swordfish throwing hand. It takes place in the Marina of Scilla, on the stretch of sea off the ancient village of Chianalea, whose houses lying on the sea serve as boats for old and young fishermen, specialized in hunting one of the fastest fish species, the Swordfish. Fish, once caught is cooked outdoors by the same fishermen's wives and served with penne alla "greedy" and grilled seasoned with sarmoriglio, accompanied by local wine. In the three evenings, as well as moments of folklore, folk music, exhibitions and film screenings theme, the event is characterized with the real representation of the fishing scenes with "luntri", as in ancient times, that is, with the presence the "Bandiaturi" the Castle Ruffo that, in the middle of the flag and shouts addressed the boat towards the spotted fish. Typical boat four long oars the "luntri" which, for its historical value in 2003 marched to the historical procession of Venice enjoying success at international level.