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 13th century are the most attractive buildings in town. The
castle (about 2km inland) was originally a Swabian military outpost
(13th 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.
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