A Taste Of Italy- Messina
Our lunch, a pure taste of Italy.
Messina, Sicily, Italy Monday April, 13, 2015
Messina is the third-largest city on the island of Sicily. It may not be as well known as Florence or Rome, but it possesses an age-old spirit that has endured despite centuries of occupations, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. During World War II, the area suffered from bombings and razings at the hands of German forces. Over the course of centuries, the tragedies affecting Messina didn’t dampen the spirit of its residents. Today, Messina cruise passengers don’t see the city’s dark past. Instead, tourism and its strategic port location have buoyed the town through many storms, and it continues to grow in population.
Torre Faro boasts some beautiful panoramas.
Today, it offers a fascinating combination of fishing communities, tiny towns, and beachy resorts. Messina, Taormina, and the surrounding areas on the northeast corner of the island are particularly mesmerizing, whether you’re off sailing the picturesque Strait of Messina or climbing the summit of Monte Scuderi.
TOP THINGS TO SEE
CATHEDRAL OF MESSINA
Built nearly a thousand years ago by the Normans, the Cathedral of Messina is a must-see for travelers who want to understand the history of the city and the cultural significance of this sight. In Italy, all great churches tell a story, and the Cathedral of Messina is famous for its automatic bell tower.
Duomo of Messina.
FOUNTAIN OF NEPTUNE
The Fountain of Neptune in the center of Messina tells the mythological story of the god Neptune and the resilience of the city after it faced several earthquakes and natural disasters. It’s worth a quick walk over to admire its sheer scale and how well kept the fountain is.
A marble masterpiece. Dedicated to Neptune, god of the sea, it was commissioned by Messina Senate and created in 1557 by Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli -a Tuscan sculptor.
MONTE SCUDERI
Craving a stretch of your sea legs? The challenging hike to the summit of Monte Scuderi promises incredible views of the Strait of Messina and the coast of Calabria in the near distance.
TAORMINA
The hilltop town of Taormina outside Messina is a Sicilian village like no other. A multitude of dramatic cliffs and coves make it impossible to see all the natural beauty of Taormina in just a day. The shining jewel is the Isola Bella, an environmentally protected island just off of Taormina’s coast.
TORRE FARO
Take a trip to the top of this massive lighthouse, which has been in existence since 1884, and enjoy a beautiful view of Messina and the sea below.
