Scalea: Discover the Old Town, Torre Talao and the Coast

Scalea combines coastal history, historic buildings and striking natural features into a journey with different perspectives. Torre Talao is a 16th-century coastal tower and an example of Aragonese military architecture in southern Italy. In the historic centre, characteristic houses are arranged one above another on the hillside. The Antiquarium di Torre Cimalonga is also located there, in a 16th-century defensive tower. For planning your trip with a holiday apartment in Scalea, these sites provide a clear thematic introduction.

Holiday apartment in Scalea for cultural and coastal days

The exhibition at the Antiquarium di Torre Cimalonga traces the development of the area around Scalea and the neighbouring municipalities from the Palaeolithic to Late Antiquity. It also presents faunal and lithic finds from the Middle Palaeolithic discovered at the Torre Talao rock. Its cave system and natural cavities yielded these finds. This chronological span connects the early history of the area with a specific place in Scalea and makes the visit an entry point to very different eras.

At the ruins of the Castello normanno, the building's history itself takes centre stage. The ruins were built by Guglielmo d’Altavilla. There are some steps on the site; access for people with disabilities is not available. By contrast, there are accessible paths for people with disabilities at Torre Talao. On your excursions, you can take this difference into account if access conditions are important for your planning.

Byzantine traces and cultural life

The Greek-Byzantine rite was celebrated in the Cappella di San Nicola dei Greci until the 15th century. The chapel preserves remnants of Byzantine frescoes depicting Saint Nicholas, Saint Lawrence and the prophet Ezekiel. The Biblioteca Comunale “Gregorio Caloprese” provides cultural variety. Founded in 1992, the library is located in the heart of Scalea's historic centre and hosts cultural events, courses and workshops for all age groups.

The coast of Ajnella has a different landscape character: dark rocks, small beaches and sea caves shape this stretch of coast. Ajnella is part of the Parco Marino Riviera dei Cedri. Alongside the historic buildings and interiors, this adds a landscape theme that can be given its own emphasis when planning a trip.

A festival tradition with a historic date

The Festa del Lauro is also part of Scalea's history. By a decree issued by Ferdinand I on 2 May 1823, the Festa del Lauro was authorised for 7 and 8 September every year. This fixed date adds another cultural point of reference to the historic sites and religious traces. For families with children of different ages, this creates a choice of different themes: close observation at the Antiquarium, art in the Cappella di San Nicola dei Greci, events at the library or impressions of the landscape on the Ajnella coast.

Further destinations for orientation: Camigliatello Silano, Grisolia, Cerchiara Di Calabria, Torricella, Pietrafitta, Marina di Santa Maria del Cedro, Belmonte Calabro, San Marco Argentano

For the overarching travel overview: Cosenza.