Travel to locality “The Staircase” in Torre del Greco: the historic beach on the border with Herculaneum it is almost entirely in the hands of private beaches.
La Scala, the historic beach of Torre del Greco is almost entirely private
It was a heavenly little piece of beach between Torre del Greco and Herculaneuma place of summer memories for entire generations of Torrens. But times change and now, for several years, the Scala beach has been a sequence of private beach establishments: an expanse of wooden and concrete structures that also covers passers-by’s view of that blue expanse that is the Gulf of Naples.
Just a walk in via Calastro to realize: before our eyes, on any morning on a working day in June, two cars stop in the small car park overlooking the sea. A middle-aged couple comes down from the first: they look at the rocks, they would be willing to get some sun and bathe in the water.
But there are no protective reefs at that point and the waves carry easily surface waste: bags, bottles, you can see some foamy substance that discourages the two. After three minutes the scene repeats itself with a couple of girls, ready for a quiet sunny morning but equally ready to change destination.
The free beach is 20 meters: less than 10% of the beach
To find more “inviting” waters you have to continue in Calastro Streetdirection Ercolano: but on that road the sea “disappears” and the panorama is made by fences, walls and various structures of private establishments. Who just wants to pass by a few hours of relaxationthose who cannot or do not want to afford the services offered by the beaches must continue to the railway underpass.
“Abbascio ‘a Scala”: how it was
Only at that point is there a public descent: a small strip of sand of less than 20 meterspleasantly crowded with families, many with children, seeking relief from the summer heat. “The water is cleaner today”, comments a woman. Thanks to the protective cliffs, certainly, and a morning where not a breath of wind blew.
This square of sand is the only free space to enjoy the sea in the summer months. No more than 20 meters free in mezzo ad over 220 meters of shoreline in the hands of private structures. Less than 10%. A consequence, for better or for worse, of the commercial and tourist development of the area. Realities they offer jobs, albeit seasonal, customer services, care and cleaning of the beaches. While the free beaches in Torre del Greco they remain more and more a vague romantic memory fading on black and white photos.
