Strait of Messina

Messina, Strait of,

channel, c.20 mi (32 km) long and from 2 to 10 mi (3.2–16 km) wide, separating the Italian peninsula from Sicily and connecting the Ionian and Tyrrhenian seas. Reggio di Calabria, SW Italy, and Messina, NE Sicily, are the main ports. A ferry crosses the dangerous waters of the strait from Messina to Villa San Giovanni. The currents, whirlpools, and winds of the strait, which still hamper navigation, gave rise in ancient times to many legends about its dangers to navigators (see ScyllaScylla
, in Greek mythology. 1 Sea monster. According to one legend Circe, jealous of the sea god Glaucus' love for Scylla, changed her from a beautiful nymph into a horrible doglike creature with six heads and twelve feet; according to another, Amphitrite, jealous of
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Messina, Strait of

a strait between the Apennine peninsula and the island of Sicily, which connects the Ionian and the Tyrrhenian seas. Length, about 40 km; width, 3.5–22 km; minimum depth, 115m. The Strait of Messina is known for the strong Scylla and Charybdis whirlpools. The ports of Messina and Reggio di Calabria (Italy) are situated on the strait.