Sicily is an Italian island where there are many interesting cities to visit such as the beautiful Messina, known as the gateway to Sicily.
This is a city rich in history and art that deserves to be visited and admired. There are many buildings and monuments to visit and the city also boasts a traditional cuisine of excellent quality that is known and appreciated worldwide.
Messina, where is it?
The city is located on the coast in the northeastern part of the island and is the third largest in Sicily. Its particular location a few kilometers from continental Italy makes it the natural ngresso the Sicilian island.
One of its peculiarities concerns its extension, Messina is one of the cities that extend more on the coast. To reach the city you need to take a ferry from Reggio Calabria or alternatively from Villa San Giovanni.
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The history of Messina
Messina is one of the most ancient cities of the Sicilian island and has a long history of more than 2800 years. It was founded by Greek settlers in the 8th century BC. Its name was Falce because of the shape that had its natural port, one of the busiest in Italy. With the arrival of the Latins it was called Messana.
After the Arab rule the city went through a period of decline until the period of Norman domination when the city flourished. Later, it was the Spanish who controlled the city until the 17th century when the city rebelled against the control of Spain thanks to the protection of the King of France Louis XIV. In December 1908 a terrible earthquake devastated the city.
Messina, what to see?
Messina is a city that offers so much to see to those who want to admire it. One of the most interesting things to see, and one of the symbols of Messina, is undoubtedly the Duomo. Rebuilt after the terrible earthquake of 1908, it is an emblem of Norman architecture. Inside there are 3 naves with 13 rows of columns.
Here there are many funerary monuments and chapels symbol of the wealth of the most important families of Messina. On the square there is also the bell tower that reaches a height of 60 meters. Here there is also the wonderful fountain of Orion, an ornamental fountain of the mid-sixteenth century. This monument was made to celebrate the construction of the city’s first aqueduct.
The fountain is richly decorated with representations dedicated to Orion. Another building to visit in Messina is the sanctuary of the Madonna di Montalto. This is linked to the apparition of Our Lady in 1282 on the Caperrina Hill.
The building was rebuilt in 1908 and has a Latin cross plan with a single nave. The interior of the church houses many treasures such as the icon of Our Lady of Victory of Byzantine origin that arrived in Messina in the fourteenth century.
From the center of Messina you can also see another building must visit. It is the temple of Christ the King built in the first half of the ‘900 on the remains of the castle of Matagrifone. Built in baroque style has an octagonal plan with a large dome enriched with statues. Inside there is the shrine that houses the remains of the victims of two world wars.
Another monument to visit in Messina is the fountain of Neptune that can be reached on foot along the promenade. Built by Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli, it is now considered among the most beautiful of the European Renaissance. Around the statue of Neptune there is a pool adorned with couplets that tell the story of the Strait of Messina.
Foto : Pixabay
The traditional cuisine of Messina
Messina is famous for the excellence of its culinary tradition that is linked to the culture and history of this Sicilian city. The typical recipes are characterized by intense flavors and nuances that make the dishes unique thanks to the use of genuine and quality products.
Thanks to its location on the sea this land offers a wide variety of products both for fish and meat. One of the delicacies of the local cuisine is the caponata Messina which consists of a salad of cooked vegetables such as aubergines, tomatoes, onions, celery and olives. This is a fresh dish that is well suited to the hot summer days of Messina.
As for first courses, the most famous and appreciated recipe is without any doubt that of pasta to the norm. It is pasta seasoned with tomato sauce, fried eggplant, fresh basil and salted ricotta. Among the top products of Messina’s cuisine there is also focaccia topped with cherry tomatoes, oregano, salt and extra virgin olive oil.
Foto : Pixabay
Finally, you can not miss the desserts such as the famous cannoli that are made with a crunchy fried dough filled with sweet cream based on ricotta. A typical drink of this area is the Messina granita made with crushed ice, sugar and fruit juices. One of the peculiarities of Messina is that granita is traditionally served with a warm brioche.
Copertina: Pixabay
