MESSINA, SICILY Founded as Zancle in the second half of the 8th century BC. by Chalcidian Greeks, its name was changed to Messene in about 490 BC. with the arrival of settlers from Messenia. Later conquered by Syracusans, Mamertines and Carthaginians, it came under the influence of Rome in 264 BC. After the fall of the Empire, Messina was dominated by the Goths before passing to Byzantium in 553 and Arab rule in 843. It became a Norman possession in 1061. From this date, its history was that of the Kingdom of Sicily. Messina was on several occasions struck by an earthquake and the last, in 1908, almost destroyed it completely, claiming over 60,000 victims. Of interest is the Norman Dome with its huge astronomical clock with four quadrants, the "Fontana di Orione" (1547).
The importance of the town is
connected with the presence of the near Grotta di San Teodoro
on the slopes of Pizzo Castellaro, one of the most important
prehistoric areas of the Mediterranean.
Alcara li Fusi, is probably of
Hellenic origin. It lays on the right slope of the valley Rosmarino,
at the foot of the Rocche del Castro, an impressive calcareous
Mesozoic emergence representing one of the most suggestive landscapes
in Nebrodi. Of interest is the Turio Castle, the fountain of
Piano Abate and the Mother Church. The grotto of Lauro is also
very suggestive with its great stalactites formations.
Barcellona was founded in 1639
and has belonged to Castroreale's territory until half of the
XVIII century. Of interest is the Church dell'Assunta, the Cathedral
of S. Sebastiano (1606), the 16th century Church of S. Vito.
Also important are the archaeological ruins of Località
Uliveto with some necropolis of the VI-VII centuries B.C..
The small town has belonged to
the feudal family of Lancia until the 18th century when it became
a possession of the Marquise Del Longarino. Of interest is the
Medieval Castle erected in 1200, the Mother Church and the Baratta
Palace.
A village of ancient origin,
was one of the last cities in capitulating during the Arab invasion
of Val Demone. Of interest is the Mother Church and the Church
of St. Giacomo. In the near quarters of Acqua Santa and Acqua
Canne there are some fountains whose waters are known for their
presumed miraculous effects.
Early testimonies of the presence
of the town date back to the 12th century B.C.. Diodorus, Pliny
the Elder and Strabo testify the existence of the ancient town
of Agatiurnon then destroyed. The town was ruled by different
lords: Guglielmo di Palermo in the 14th century, Guglielmo di
Leo in the 15th century, Guglielmo Crescimanno di Piazza Armerina
in the 18th century. Of interest is the Santuario di Maria SS.
di Capo d'Orlando built in 1598, the ruins of the 14th century
Castle and the Torre del Trappeto (15th century).
The name derives from the Greek-Byzantine
"Palachorion". The most interesting monuments are the
Cathedral Church, the Church of S. Teodoro, the Church of SS.
Pietro and Paolo of the Norman period.
Castelmola is a small medieval
town located on the ridge offering a magnificent view of the
sea, Taormina, the coast of Calabria and Mt. Etna. The town was
founded by the Siculians in the 8th century B.C. and destroyed
by Dionisio I of Siracusa in 392 BC. In 350 BC it was rebuilt
by Andromaco, the historian Timeo's father. It was conquered
by the Romans, by the Arabs in 902 AD and by the Normans in 1078.
Of interest are the ruins of the castle (16th century) and the
church of S. Giorgio built in the 17th century.
This village was probably founded
by the Siculans in the 8th C. B.C.. It immediately became of
strategic importance for its position controlling the Milazzo
valley. Roger I gave it as a baronet privilege to Goffredo Borrello
in 1092. In 1848 after surrender of Messina to Bourbons, it was
the headquarters of the of the provincial authorities and gave
refuge to fugitives from Messina. Of interest is The Tower of
Frederick II, the remains of the Castle, the church of the Assunta.
Inserted among the high grounds
of the hilly chain of Nebrodi, surrounded with oak-groves and
secular beeches, Cesarò preserves the old features almost
intact. its territory is characterized by dense woods and little
lakes originated in the watershed of Nebrodi. Very beautiful,
the landscape where there is the lake Biviere, so called because
of the animals which stopped there to water. This is also a halting-place
for flights of migrating birds; surrounded with lofty beech and
yew-woods of the mount Soro and the Serra del Re, the lake unfolds
all its singular beauty when, in the clear sky day, the cone
of the Etna is reflected in it. Of interest is the baroque Mother
Church, the church of S. Calogero.
In the south eastern Peloritan
mountains, the village is clustered in a bend of the Fiumedinisi
river, close to its mouth. Its lords from 1320 were Roger di
Vallone, Giaimo di Villanova and the Colonna family. Of interest
is the Mother Church and the ruins of the Belvedere Castle of
the 12th century.
This village in the eastern Nebrodi
mountains lies in a saddle between Mt Pistone and the Serre di
Baratta. The village was founded in the 17th century, came into
possession of the Marquise Antonio Quintana Dueguas, of his daughter
Melchiora and in from 1675 to the end of the 18th century, it
passed to the Prince Paolo Ardoino. The wintry landscape is very
suggestive, especially when Floresta is covered with a thick
mantle of snow.
It is a medieval village overlooking
the Ionian Sea at 15 Km from Taormina. Impressing are the surrounding
spurs of the southern Peloritani mountains. In 1117 Forza D'Agró
was given by Count Roger to the Basilian monks of the great monastery
of the Saints Pietro e Paolo. The village is dominated by the
remains of the castle of the 16. century, today used as a cemetery.
Gaggi lies in the lower Alcantara
river valley. The village was founded by Muslims in the 9th century
and it was later dominated by Swabians-Normans. During Norman
domination it was given by Roger II to the Monastery of Savoca.
Until 1939 it was called Kaggi. The village is a base for excursions
to the "Alcantara gorges".
Placed on a hill overlooking
the Valle del Fitalia and includes, Galati Mamertino, the ancient
Qual'at', rose in Arabic-Norman period. In 1124 Adelasia of Aragon
made built priorship dedicated to St. Anne. In 1320 it was given
by Frederick II of Swabia, called Redbeard, to Blasco Lancia
and in 1644 it passed to Filippo Amato with the title of principality.
Of interest are the ruins of the Castle, the Mother Church. Very
interesting is also its naturalistic patrimony, with the wonderful
Cascata of Catafurco and the wood of Mangalavite.
Situated below Taormina, Naxos
was the first Greek colony in Sicily, founded in 735 B.C. by
Chalcidians of Euboea. Naxos is archeologically one of the very
few remaining chances to study the most ancient aspects of Greek
urbanistics. The most interesting monuments are the Castle of
Schisò; the ruins of a Blockhouse of the 17th -18th centuries;
the Archaeological Museum. There are also many archaeological
areas of the ancient Naxos with the remains of a temple of the
5th century B.C. and graves of the bronze age.
The Aeolian archipelago originally the volcanic mythical site of the King of Winds, is situated in the Tyrrhenian Sea north of Sicily and is composed of seven principal islands (Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Alicudi, Filicudi, Stromboli and Panarea) and a few islets. Geologically, these beautiful islands are quite rugged, with deep caverns, steep cliffs, and splendid views. Lipari
Situated on the Ionian coast
north of Taormina, Letojanni, a small hamlet coming under Gallodoro,
it expanded in the last century and with Gallodoro in 1880 it
obtained administrational equality, maintained until 1952 when
Letojanni and Gallodoro became two autonomous communes. Of interest
is the neogothic Parish Church.
Located on the edge of town,
the castle was one of the first Norman buildings erected in Sicily.
Milazzo itself was founded as Mylae by Greeks from Zancle (Messina)
in 716 BC. but soon after conquered by Byzantines and by Arabs.
Of interest is the Norman Castle, the Mother Church of the 17th
century, and the civic museum.
The ancient Amestratos is overhung
by the Rocche del Castello, a high ground where recent excavations
have brought to light the ruins of the Chiesa Paleocristiana
with three Byzantine apses, and the ruins of an Arab-Norman fortress.
The city has preserved its original structure and the valuable
historical and architectonic patrimony. Of interest is the Mother
church and the Chiesa dei Pellegrini.
In 1400 it belonged to Tommaso
Tortorici and in the 17th century it was possession of the Lanza
family. Of interest is the church of S. Maria delle Grazie built
in 1600. Very interesting are also the near Alcantara Gorges.
The origin of the village date
back to 1145 when it belonged to Bartolomeo de Luce. Later it
became possession of different feudatories: Alagonas, Valguarnera,
Moncada, Saccanos. The most interesting monuments are two Santuari
Rupestri; the remains of an ancient Byzantine monastery of the
8th - 9th centuries, the ruins of the walls of the Medieval Castle
and the Mother Church.
First news about the existence
of the village dates back to the 11th century when it was a State
possession. In 1232 it revolted against Federick II of Swabia,
and supported the Pope together with other centres. Of interest
is the Castle built by Federick II of Aragon in the of the 14th
century and the Mother Church (1648).
Patti was founded in 1094 during
the domination of count Ruggero d'Altavilla. Later it was burnt
down by Fredrick II of Aragon to penalize its loyalty to Angevins.
The centre was rebuilt but in 1544 it was burnt down again by
corsair Ariadeno Barbarossa. Of interest is the Mother Church
(18th century), the medieval church of St. Michele and the Sactuary
of Madonna di Tindari. Very interesting is also the ruins of
a Romana Villa dating back to the 2nd century A.D.
The first village was founded
by knight Don Giovanni La Rocca in 1608. In the 18th century
the village was residence of Ardoinos and then of Moncadas who
has ruled it till the abolition of feudal duties. Of interest
is the so-called "Torre di Sollima" a Saracen tower
of the 15th century and the Church of Arcangelo Michele.
The village developed around
the castle, erected at the end of the 15th C. by Andreotto I
Valdina. In the 18th C. it passed to the Armao family and the
castle to the Nastasi de Spuches family. Of interest is the Baronial
Palace of Valdina, built in the 15th century and the Mother Church.
Roccavaldina is renowned for the so-called "Bottega dello
Speziale" (apothecary's shop) which is an ancient chemist
of 1500 with original vases, mortars, bottles and jigs for the
conservation and preparation of medicines and drugs.
Its origin dates back to the
history of the old city of Apollonia which, during the Hellenic
colonization, was a little way out of the present built-up area.
Jealous of its own history, the people have preserved until to-day
a peculiar language of Gallic-Longobard origin. It is incomprehensible
for visitors and have kept intact its culture and traditions,
among which there is the singular "Festa dei Giudei"
(jews' feast): a real burst of colours and crazy conducts, unfolding
its Dionysian origins, with the exaltation of the Eros and orgiastic
spirit, a typical display of the Hellenic culture. San Fratello
is situated in the middle of the most beautiful place in the
Park of Nebrodi where wild horses of Arab origin feed undisturbed.
Of architectonic interest is the Chiostro del Convento di San
Francesco, founded in 1300 and the Byzantine Chiesa dei Tre Santi.
The village of S. Agata di Militello
extends along the coast, between the mouth of the river Rosmarino
and the river Inganno, through the beach and the first spurs
of the mountains. The built-up area extends around the original
centre, which was the Gallego's castle, built around 1630 as
a tower in defense of the coast and still representing the main
attraction of the urban landscape. In the periphery of this structure
there is enclosed the chapel where paintings and wooden statues,
dating from 1600 and 1700, are preserved. Of interest are also
the neoclassic Duomo and the elegant villas and nineteenth-century
palaces.
The village is situated along
the coast that goes from Capo Sant'Alessio (defined by Greek
Argennon akron). From1452 to 1717 it was property of De Angelicas,
Romano Colonnas, Furnaros, and Paternò Castellos. Of interest
are the medieval castle, the ancient house "delle decime",
the Quartiere di Mezzo which is made up of 1600 houses.
Situated on the offshoot of the
Mounts Nebrodi, the ancient Aluntium was one of the most important
cities in the Thyrrhenian coast of Sicily during the Hellenic
colonization. The present name S. Marco was assumed during the
Norman period, under Roberto il Guiscardo's rule. Of interest
are the Tempio di Ercole, built in the 4th century BC, the Byzantine
Chiesa di S. Teodoro, the Baroque Chiesa dell'Aracoeli, the Mother
Church and the medieval Chiesa di San Basilio.
In the north western Peloritan
mountains, this village lies on the northern slopes of Mt. Mela.
A hamlet in Saracen times, it was a favourite hunting residence
of Frederick II of Swabia. Of interest are the imposing Mother
church of Santa Lucia, the 17th century Episcopal Palace and
the Castle.
In the northern Nebrodi mountains,
this village lies in the Mt. Saraceni range. The village developed
near the Basilian monastery of San Michele. Of interest are the
16th Century cloister of the monastery of San Francesco, the
small church of San Filippo of the 16th century.
The little village of S. Teodoro,
also called "'u casali" is situated in the southern
Nebrodi mountains. Belonging in the 14th C. to Giacomo de Mustacio,
it then passed to Paolo Campolo and in 1687 to Diego Brunaccini.
Of interest is the Mother Church, built in 1692 which keeps a
statue of St. Gaetano con il Bambino by Filippo Quattrocchi (18th
century).
Destroyed by a landslide in 1682
and rebuilt in 1693, it was a feud in the times of the emperor
Frederik III. A popular seaside resort, Santo Stefano di Camastra
is a leading manufacturer of artistic pottery. The most interesting
monuments are the Mother Church and the "Cimitero Vecchio".
Savoca is situated on a ridge
between the Savoca stream an the d'Agrò river, on the
lower southern slopes of the Peloritan mountains. Probably founded
in the 12th Century, in 1415 it belonged to the archbishops of
Messina. Of interest are the ruins of the Norman castle, the
church of San Michele, 15th C., the Mother Church of the 16th
century.
Since the end of the nineteenth
century Taormina has become a world famous international resort
whose visitors are, time and time again, enraptured by its charming
atmosphere, its natural beauty, its all-year-round mild climate,
its preservation of local culture and ancient history. Settled
on a hill of the Monte Tauro, Taormina dominates two grand, sweeping
bays below and on the southern side, the top of Mount Etna. In
392 it was conquered by Dionysius I of Siracusa and after his
death, it had a period of great splendour when Andromache was
elected head of the town. In 358 B.C., Greeks from the coastal
settlement of Naxos fled to escape the wrath of Dionysius, fearful
tyrant of Siracuse who constantly made war with the neighboring
Greek colonies. The Romans conquered Taormina in the Second Punic
War in 212 B.C., constructing numerous civic and religious structures
whose foundations are still visible today. The Bizantines spread
Christianity in Taormina in the 7th and 8th centuries AD but
gave way to the Moors from North Africa in 902. The Arabs were
skilled engineers and greatly improved irrigation and cultivation
practices in and around the town. The Normans conquered Taormina
in the 12th century and masterfully synthesized the diverse traditions
they found on site, employing skillful Moorish craftsmen and
architects in their projects. In the following centuries Taormina
suffered the fate of much of the South; it became a pawn in the
conquests of greater powers, notably France and Spain. Of interest
are The Greek-Roman Theatre, the second-largest in Sicily after
the one in Siracusa, the archaeological museum, the Odeon, Corvaia
Palace and the ruins of Naumachia.
Terme Vigliatore, renowned in
Roman period by the name of Fons Veneris, is a small village
located between the Gulf of Tindari and the Promontory of Milazzo.
It was a Roman resort for its thermal waters and its good wine.
Of interest are the ruins of a Roman villa.
Tindari is an Hellenic town founded
by Locrese and Medmese refugees; it was rebuilt by the Romans,
and, till today, the Greek- Roman theatre is preserved, as well
as the spas and the residential area with valuable mosaics, a
gymnasium with arcades and a Roman Basilica. During the excavations,
a great decuman road was discovered; it is 2 kilometres long
and from the centre of Tindari leads towards Mongiove. Tindari
also has the famous Sanctuary of the Black Madonna.
Mentioned by geographer Tolomeo
of Alessandria in the 2nd century A.D., the village was founded
between the 8th and the 9th centuries by refugees from Halaesa
and it was destroyed by an earthquake in 856. The most interesting
monuments are the Mother church, the Church of St. Pietro, the
Church of St. Leonardo and, of course, the ruins of Halaesa.
The legend attributes the foundation
of Ucria to the survivors of the city of Monte Castello, disappeared
without leaving any traces, in conseguence of some disaster.
Situated at the foot of the Rocca di Poggio, and overhanging
the valley of the river Naso, Ucria still preserves its medieval
features in the interlacement of the quarters. Of interest are
the Mother Church, the Chiesa dell'Annunziata, built by Franciscans
in the 16th century and the Chiesa del Rosario (1700) with its
bell-tower in majolica spire.
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