Scala Things to Do

The walls of the cathedral were fairly plain, compared to the rich paintings above.
We didn't get to see the crypt - the inside had damp patches and smelt musty - the rain must be getting in somewhhere - so we made a hasty return to the sunshine outside.
What can be seen if you are interested is the CEILING by De Simone, and three large paintings by Cacciapuoti, portraying the "MARTIRIO di S LORENZO" ; a magnificent MAJOLICA PAVEMENT ( 1853), floral swags with a ladder and a lion at the centre, the proud coat- of - arms of Scala.

The village of Scala is tiny - won't take long to see - basically the two main hotels, a couple of shops and the main square with the cathedral. The Cathedral, named after S.Lorenzo, is a large three-naved building, with XIX century floor and romanesque door. In the crypt apparently are some wooden sculptures of XIII century and a gothic tomb with stuccoworks.

Scala is the native land of Fra' Gerardo Sasso, the founder of the Ordine of Spedalieri or St. John's Order, which later became the Knights of St John, Malta Order. This plaque on the back wall of Scala's small piazza commemorates this.

The village of Minuta has a delightful square with its well fountain and the church of S.Maria Assunta, built in IX century.

Another view of the cathedral is to walk up to Campidoglio, the village above Scala and to look down from the vineyards onto it!

It is there that the Redemptorists were founded by St. Alphonsus Ligouri in 1732.
Their church is just a bit further along Scala's road from the cathedral and the monastery is just opposite.

Just by the church in the square is a lovely old fountain - with ice drinkable cold water.
I love the detail on these rustic old fountains - like this one in Scala.

The main square is tiny - the church and the customary municipio (town hall) and a small cafe with some outdoor seating in the square.
There always seemed to be a few cars parked here too.