Messina is the city "Gate of Sicily" ... #tuttitaly
Messina is called "the door of Sicily": thanks to the proximity of the Calabrian coast, it is the fastest and most comfortable access point to Sicily.
It takes about 30 minutes by ferry from Villa San Giovanni. Once in Messina, it becomes easy to move around Trinacria by car, thanks to the highways and the expressways.
Messina is often seen as a landing place only in transit, yet it's a city rich in monuments, churches, and two cathedrals. It is a city to be discovered and deserves suitable attention.
The air of Sicily is unmistakable, full of flavors and delicacies; it seems to be catapulted into a world of wonders never seen before. It is difficult to explain in words; only those who have been there can understand.
You should taste a few products when you arrive in Messina: the Cassata, the Cannoli, the Granita with brioche, and above all, the cradle of the Arancini.
The houses and buildings today in Messina are low to comply with all anti-seismic regulations.
The area near the Strait of Messina, called the Messina-Taormina fault, is currently the area of Italy most susceptible to earthquakes. After the earthquakes (the last one in 1908 destroyed 90% of the city with over 85,000 deaths) and the bombings of the Second World War, today Messina can be mainly considered a modern and flourishing city. Messina, as well as Palermo, was also the capital of the Kingdom of Sicily.
Curiosities:
- In Messina, it is possible to hear the tolling of the largest bell in Italy.
- In ancient times, crossing the Strait of Messina was very difficult due to beliefs about the presence of Scylla. This six-headed monster roamed the Calabrian shore because of Charybdis, the goddess who amused herself with sailors and gave rise to dangerous whirlpools. But in reality, these vortices, which are still very dangerous, are generated by the earthquakes that affect the surface from the depths of the sea.
- The famous Arancini was born in Messina: the tasty rice and stuffed balls.
Comments