The Strait of Messina (Stretto di Messina, Sicilian: Strittu di Missina) is a narrow strait between the eastern tip of Sicily (Punta del Faro) and the western tip of Calabria (Punta Pezzo) in Southern Italy
It connects the Tyrrhenian Sea to the north with the Ionian Sea to the south, within the central Mediterranean
At its narrowest point, between Torre Faro and Villa San Giovanni, it is 3 km wide
At the city of Messina, it is 5 km wide
The strait's maximum depth is about
The strait has strong tidal currents that create a unique marine ecosystem
In some circumstances, the mirage of Fata Morgana can be observed when looking at Sicily from Calabria
In 1957, a 220 kV overhead power line was built across the Strait of Messina
Its pylons are among the highest in the world
This power line has since been replaced by a submarine power cable, but the pylons remain and are protected as historical monuments (see Pylons of Messina).
At the city of Messina, it is 5 km wide. The strait's maximum depth is about . The strait has strong tidal currents that create a unique marine ecosystem. A natural whirlpool in the northern portion of the strait has been linked to the Greek legend of Scylla and Charybdis. In some circumstances, the mirage of Fata Morgana can be observed when looking at Sicily from Calabria. With its bottleneck shape, it is also a compulsory point of transit in the migration of many bird species. In 1957, a 220 kV overhead power line was built across the Strait of Messina. Its pylons are among the highest in the world. This power line has since been replaced by a submarine power cable, but the pylons remain and are protected as historical monuments (see Pylons of Messina).