The Fata Morgana of Messina
On calm mornings over the Strait of Messina, castles and towers appear floating above the sea, then fade away.
What was reported
On certain calm, hot days, people on the shores of the Strait of Messina, between Sicily and the Italian mainland, have reported seeing cities, castles and towers rising above the water, shimmering and changing shape.
The sight was named after Morgan le Fay, the enchantress of Arthurian legend, who was said to conjure castles in the air to lure sailors.
Explanations offered
It is a complex mirage. When a layer of warm air lies over cooler air near the sea surface, light from distant coastlines, buildings and ships is bent and stretched, making them appear as towering structures in the sky. The name 'fata morgana' is now used for this kind of mirage worldwide.
- When
- Recorded for centuries
- Where
- Strait of Messina, between Sicily and Calabria, Italy
- Witnesses
- Fishermen and coastal residents
- Status
- Explained
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.