Grotte Basiliane

In the hilly landscape of Scala Coeli—perched approximately 370 meters above sea level on the slopes of the Sila Greca, not far from the Ionian Sea—there are numerous rock cavities that bear witness to Basilian monasticism in this part of Calabria. They represent a phenomenon of rock monasticism: the monks lived in anchorites or reduplica communities, dug into the rock or exploiting natural cavities, dedicated to prayer, meditation, work, and asceticism.

Interesting Facts

Scala Coeli was described in the last century as "a walled hill, with two gates, surrounded by cliffs and caves," emphasizing the historical presence of rock cavities in the village.



The caves testify to the connection between Basilian monasticism and the Calabrian landscape, where the monks lived in ascetic contemplation in the rock cavities.