Advertisement

Duomo Square

New comers to Messina's Piazza Duomo, cannot but admire its fountain, the evocative bell tower and the splendid Norman Cathedral.The Fountain of Orion, created in celebration of the city's first aqueduct, dates from 1500 and was by Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli, a collaborator and disciple of Michaelangelo. This splendid classical fountain represents four rivers, the Nile, Tiber, Ebro and the Canaro.The upper cistern is decorated with lines of latin verse, and is crowned with Orion, mythical founder of Messina.Left of the Duomo the monument to the Immaculate Madonna, originally in another spot but since relocated to the piazza in 1900.

Church of Santa Maria Alemanna

stands in isolation a few blocks from the train station in a part of the city that visitors hardly ever see. Its construction was probably begun around 1194, when the Emperor Henry VI arrived at Messina to ascend the Sicilian Throne. Completed some years later, it was the place of worship of the Germans who remained at Messina during the reign of the young Frederick II von Hohenstaufen, which began following Henry's death in 1197. Henry was buried not at this very German church, but at the Cathedral of Palermo. There were never very many true Gothic churches in Sicily (where one hears phrases like "Romanesque Gothic" or "Catalan Gothic"); Santa Maria is one of the very few such churches still standing.

Peloritan Mountains

The ring of steep hills and peaks around Messina, reaching toward Cape Peloro (Faro Point) and extending a few miles along the Ionian coast and then westward to the Nebrodi range, are the Peloritan Mountains. Cape Peloro straddles two seas, the Tyrrhenian to the west and the Ionian to the east. In the steep valleys are numerous torrents (seasonal streams). Montagna Grande, the highest of the Peloritans, is 1,374 metres above sea level, while Rocca Novara reaches 1,340 metres.Most of the rocks are igneous and metamorphic. There are sandstone soils present in the region. The rocks of the Argimusco plateau differ in origin. At one time the Peloritans were lushly forested, and inhabited by deer as well as other species. Today there are fewer trees except in replanted areas. Trees include various oaks, beech and stone pine, as well as the occasional chestnut tree.

Taormina

This is the main attraction when visiting Messina. Taormina is a medieval village perched alongside the steep terrain jutting out of the ocean. While it has kept its Medieval character, it is now a shopper's paradise. The main pedestrian shopping street is loaded with shops, boutiques and specialty stores selling everything under the sun. Near the top of Taormina Village is a wonderfully preserved Roman Theater. This pretty much sums up Taormina's charm. There is something for everyone. Great shopping, wonderful restaurants, Roman Ruins, Medieval pedestrian streets and even stairs to a great beach. What more could anyone want? Plus it is all connected by one simple street and stairway.

Catania

is the other port that serves Taormina. Between the two ports, Messina wins hands-down. If you are porting in Catania, either take a ship's shore excursion or arrange for a private tour in advance of arrival, or stay on the ship. That said, I was able to negotiate with a taxi driver for a our to Taormina and felt that it was worth it, however, why put yourself in the position of risk.

October - February
March - August

Information not available

Advertisement