SCALETTA ZANCLEA

Scaletta Zanclea is a small town of about 2,500 inhabitants situated in the Messina province.

Its importance is much related to the neighboring site of Scaletta Superiore, a feudal dominion ruled by the noble Marcheses.

The 1500’s Chiesa di San Nicolò, containing prized works such as a 1400’s wooden Crucifix and a 1600’s painting depicting San Francesco di Paola, and a three-floors castle erected in the 13^th century are the most attractive buildings in town. The castle (about 2km inland) was originally a Swabian military outpost (13^th century), later passed to the Ruffo family that used it as their hunting lodge. This massive fortress, graced by elegant two-light windows on the noble floor and by one-light ones on the upper floor, now accommodates a picture gallery of modern art and the Museo Civico, collecting old documents and weaponry.