Messina is a small northeast Sicilian town with a population of about 250 thousand people at 2.5 hours drive from Palermo. Messina leads its history about the 7th century to our era. From ancient times, the city had a huge economic and political importance, largely due to its location - it is five kilometers from the mainland Italy. The Messina port has the most important merchant and is located in the natural bay of the Ionian Sea. About Messina can be found mentioned in the works of great philosophers, poets and wristings - Plutarch, Giovanni Bokachco, William Shakespeare, Alexander Bloka. From Rome to Messina is distant - about 8 hours drive, but if you relax in Palermo, be sure to go to Messina. What can I see and where to go to Messina?
Madonna Statue in Port Messina
The majestic statue is the first thing to see tourists who arrived in the middle of Messina. Why is this monument here? If you read Sicilian legends, it turns out that Virgo Maria was very surprised by the religiosity of local residents and decided to patronize the city. In her honor in Messina, this statue was erected in the first half of the last century. The six-meter statue is on the roof of the old fort 16 century, which was built back in 1546. In the hand of Madonna holds a letter, so the monument is often called "Madonna with a letter" (or Madonna Della Letter). Based on the monument, you can read the inscription, which says "I keep you and your city." By the way, all the inhabitants of Messina are very superstitious, and they believe that this statue really helps them and brings good luck and well-being.
Address: Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 108
Fountain Neptune
One of the few Messina fountains, which built, by the way, the student of the Great Michelangelo! The fountain created by the city order is pretty colorful and unusually beautiful: in the center of a large round bowl you can see God Neptune (who protects Messina from storms and storms). Neptune, surrounded by beauty-sirens, holds a trident in his hand. This fountain is old enough, it has been more than 400 years old. An interesting fact was a fountain in front of the palace, back to the sea, that is, as if blessed the main government building and the whole city. Later, the palace turned to the palace with his back, so the symbolism of the project was slightly lost.
Address: Piazza Unità d'Italia area, in front of Palazzo Del Governo Palazzo
The sanctuary of Christ (Christo Re. Messina)
This Baroque Building was built on the ruins of the MataHagrifunion castle in 1937. The form of the building resembles the wrong octagon with a large dome. There are three allegorical statues from bronze below below. On the terraces at the top of the sanctuary you can see the statues of religious value. The dome is decorated with a small turret with a cross, inside which lantern is installed. In the octagonal bell tower there is a bronze bell, by the way, the third largest in Italy.
Sizes of 2.80 meters and weighing 130 tons, the bell cast from bronze guns stolen from opponents during the First World War. From the inside the cathedral shines gold shades, walls and ceilings are separated by stucco, bas-reliefs and stained glass windows. The cathedral is located on a hill, so it can be seen from afar, and from the very place where the sanctuary is worthwhile, a wonderful view of the surroundings, strait and city. The long staircase goes down from the cathedral, walking on which, do not lose the feeling that you are about to enter directly into the marine smooth.
By the way, the castle, which is previously at this place, had the most important military importance, was the peculiar Byzantine fortress and the residence of Richard The lion's heart and his suits during the third cross campaign in the 12th century.
Address: VIALE PRINCIPE UMBERTO, 93
Bell Tower of Messina Cathedral (Campanile del Duomo di Messina)
This beautiful 60-meter sandstone bell tower was built in the 12th century. True, today's species is decently different from the initial, because the building has repeatedly rebuilt. The style of the bell tower is difficult to determine - it has both Gothic elements, and parts in the style of Baroque, and much more. Interestingly, the building changes its color depending on how the sun is high - from gently pink to bronze. The main part of the bell tower is the unique astronomical watches produced in Strasbourg in 1933. The mechanism of this device was recognized as the most complex and old hours mechanism in the world. Also, the bell tower is decorated with gilded statues of saints and interesting figures. I recommend to admire the tower at noon - the metal figures come to life and begin to perform their parade, during which observers can learn about some points from the history of the city. At this show every time you are going to admire Poliorod. There is another dial on the bell tower, however, this clock indicates the date and time.
Address: Via Cristoforo Colombo
Park Naturale Dei Nebrodi)
The park spread his beauty in the mountains, on the border of Catania and Messina. This is the youngest Sicily Reserve. About 150 species of animals, birds, fish and reptiles live in the park. Diamond Park - a huge 22-meter maple with a barrel with a diameter of 6 meters.
It is also worth watching a rim from limestone, which is about 250 million years old, as well as a 30-meter waterfall of Katafurko, Lake Beaver Cesaro and Mulazzo.Lakes are famous for the fact that in the summer months in the waters of the lakes begin to bloom special algae, thanks to which the lakes acquire a red color. Do not forget to look at the Impllachonate Castle, which is built at an altitude of 837 m (it is also called the casino di pytherathat.) The park is in two hours drive from Messina.
Address: Contrada Pietragrossa, Caronia Messina
Cathedral of Black Madonna (Il Santuario Della Madonna Nera)
The Cathedral in the ancient style is located in the village of Tindari, which is 60 km from Messina. And this is one of the most visited basil of Sicily. There was even Pope John Paul II. The statue of Madonna, made of dark wood, the subject of the pride of the cathedral, "moved" from Constantinople to Tyndari in the 8th century.
Found a statue of local fishermen, who passed Madonna monks. The ministers of the clergy for the start built a small chapel, where they put a statue, and another 8 centuries later, at the highest point of Cape Tindari, on the rock of Mary Neva, the Cathedral of Il Santuario Della Madonna Nera was rebuilt. Today, the same statue of Madonna is located on the facade of Basilica.
Address: Il Santuario Della Madonna Nera, Patti