art & history
San Pietro
The village closest to the center of Scala, San Pietro forms around the small church and is notable for being the birthplace of the Blessed Fra Gerardo Sasso, the founder of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Little remains of the ancient Sasso palace, but the works of his eminent son are well rooted in the memory and culture of Scala.
The high apses of San Pietro are supported by sturdy buttresses. In the background, immersed in chestnut woods, is the village of Santa Caterina.
The square of San Pietro is very crowded, on hot summer afternoons it is pleasant to sit in the shade of the pepper tree and chat with the village elders.
