Messina is a Province like a
treasure chest that opens to reveal its
extraordinary charm and beauty to visitors. Mountains rived by
rushing streams
and topped by fortifications, the deep blue sea and splendid works
of art
hidden away in churches and mansion houses.
Messina is the Province of the Straits. This stretch of water
separates Sicily
from the mainland, and at the same time, connects them. A visit to
Messina
also means a visit to the surrounding lands, as well as the sea and
the
interior of the island. There are 108 municipalities in the
province, each of them
has some wonderful places to explore and remarkable historical
background
like Taormina,
Milazzo,
the nature reserve of Nebrodi, the northern slopes of
Etna volcano and the superb Aeolian Islands.
The Province of Messina has long, long stretches of golden sandy
beaches interspersed with little fishing villages. The Costa
Saracena area takes in the section of coast from the Capo Calavà
headland to the bay at San Giorgio and encloses an area of great
historical, artistic and environmental interest to visitors - Taormina
is another resort much loved by tourists. It not only enthrals its
guests with its superb sea but also with its rich cultural and
archeological heritage. The nearby city of Giardini Naxos
is one of the best known resorts.
Milazzo is where one of
the first Greek colonies was founded on Sicily and is also renowned
for its location at the foot of the Nebrodi Mountains. The town is
known as the Queen of the Sea, because of its location and enthrals
visitors with its wonderful beaches and mysterious grottos. The
Aeolian Islands can be reached by boat from
Milazzo. This group of
islands is beyond any doubt the most famous in Sicily and includes
Vulcano, Lipari, Alicudi, Filicudi, Panarea and Stromboli. All the
islands show traces of their volcanic origins. Sulphur fumes can
still be seen escaping from the Volcano della Fossa crater on the
island of Vulcano. The island sea beds have no comparison and are a
paradise to divers. The scenery varies enormously from place to
place with luxuriant greenery and superb beaches. These elements
combined with the historical importance of archaeological finds make
this area a heritage of global significance.
To see Messina properly, the best way is to visit the excellent
resorts along
the Tyrrhenian coast from Capo d'Orlando to Montalbano Elicona. Capo
d'Orlando
is a breath-taking coastal town sitting on a headland ,well worth
seeing is
the Santuary of Maria SS. di Capo d.Orlando that sits upon the
ruins of a
14th century castle. Frazzanò sits on a very striking ridge on the
Nebrodi
mountains surrounded by rich Mediterranean maquis and is well worth
the visit
to study the architectural style of the Church of Maria SS. Dell'
Annunziata,
the Church of San Lorenzo and the Abbazia Basiliana di San Filippo
di Fragalà.
Visitors will to find the town of Patti very interesting. The town
has a splendid villa from the late Roman Empire period rich in
African style mosaics.
Another sight to see are the "Gole dell'Alcantara"
which are gorges formed thousands of years ago following the
eruption of a small volcano, Monte Moio, that lies to the North of
Etna. The lava flow filled the whole valley of Alcantara which is
over 200 feet deep. The gorges can be reached by following a
beautiful path or by means a lift. It is difficult to describe the
range of feeling that these immense natural wonders create. The
sight of crystal clear pools formed between stark black walls,
mystical waterfalls and little beaches formed by erosion produce the
strangest sensations.
Another important archeological site is to be found not far away at
Tindari that sits high up on a headland offering the most
spectacular views over the bay. There are countless traces of its
Carthaginian, Roman and Arab past. Montalbano Elicona is a very
popular resort in the Nebrodi are and has a wealth of history art
and tradition to display. The castle of Federico II d'Aragona
overlooks this ancient town that has its Byzantine and Arab roots.
The traditional Messina Cuisine is typified by seafood-based
dishes that are particularly tasty and swordfish
cooked in a variety of ways. Typical dishes include: "Cartoccio"
with seafood sauce and pasta cooked with genuine Sicilian cheeses.
Apart form traditional "Cannoli" with ricotta and "Cassate",
confectioners in Messina are famed for their "Pignolata" and "Pistacchiata"
