Messina Sicily travel guide and information
Travel guide to Messina in Sicily, Italy
A sickle shaped harbour and a stone’s throw from the toe of Italy, Messina, Sicily, dates back 750 years before the birth of Christ. It was settled by the Greeks who turned Messina into a thriving post because of its natural safe-water harbour. Later the Romans also recognised Messina’s strategic importance. The Normans also regarded Messina as a vital port and stronghold. During the early middle ages, the Crusades to the Holy Land often departed from the port of Messina. It is said that Richard the Lionheart launched one of his three crusades from the port of Messina.
Often visitors to Sicily pass straight through Messina and miss out on some fascinating sites including a wonderfully reconstructed Norman cathedral and the Church of Santa Maria Alemanna which is near the railway 
station. Saint Mary of the Germans was built in the late 12th century and was attended by Germans who resided in Messina when Frederick II von Hohenstaufen was on the Sicilian throne. A genuine Gothic church, it is one of a few original churches that dates from that time in Sicily.
The Abbey of Santa Maria della Valle is another fine genuinely Gothic church that is built outside of Messina and is surrounded by ancient stone streets. For the thirsty and hungry, Messina has some delightful restaurants near the port and in the heart of the city there are several pizzerias and more expensive restaurants.
Read aboout property in Messina.
Other Sicily Travel information: One topic which is often looked at in Sicily is the Messina Bridge connecting Sicily with Italy. This would better links to the island from the mainland. At the moment we rely a lot on Flights to Sicily from the likes of Rome, Milan and Venice.
back to Areas of Sicily.
