Messina, Sicily (Italy) - Mar 28, 2013

Messina is situated on the northeastern Sicilian coast and is the capital of Messina Province which is on the western shore of the Strait of Messina. Messina is a port city opposite the Italian mainland, it has industries producing foodstuffs, silks, muslins, linens and chemicals. The city was founded by the Greeks in the 8th century BC. It was occupied by the Roman forces in 264 BC, an event that precipitated the First Punic War between Rome and Carthage. Following the occupation by the Saracens during the 9th century AD and the Normans during the 11th century, Messina was ruled by various powers which in turn shaped its vastly diverse culture. The University of Messina which was established in 1548 was rebuilt extensively along with the rest of Messina after the earthquake in 1908 that destroyed almost the entire city and killed some 84,000 of its people. We stayed and toured on our own in Messina today, many groups headed to Taormina as well at the amazing Mount Etna, but for those following us know that the we have already visited these incredible places and as with Catania in the fall of last year, we have seen a good portion of Sicily but not Messina (we drove through here a few years ago to catch a ferry to Calabria but did not see the city really). So with map in hand off we went exploring for about five hours in great weather and temperatures in the low 20’s. Our pictures will more or less cover our route but here are a few things to note. In the Piazza Del Duomo there stands a cathedral (it is the one in the pictures of the clock tower), this Cathedral was originally built in the 12th century and suffered its first disaster in 1254 during a funeral when a mass of candles set the church on fire. Then in 1783 and 1908 earthquakes devastated it along with a WWII incendiary bomb in 1943 put it to rest. The fire caused by the bombing destroyed all the frescoes and mosaics, incinerated the choir stalls and ruined the royal tombs. But the Messinese picked up the pieces and rebuilt it faithfully in the style of the original basilica with three mosaic apses. Some of the few original elements that were salvaged are the lovely stripy marble inlay and tracery of the facade and the Catalan-Gothic portal as shown in the pictures. The other amazing highlight as shown in our pictures is the astronomical clock. Just outside of the cathedral the 60 meter high campanile houses the world’s largest astronomical clock, built in Strasbourg in 1733. When the clock strikes noon it sets in motion a slow moving procession of bronze automata that have various historical and allegorical meanings. You will have to wait for the video version to be posted on our youtube channel to see and hear the comical roar of the lion and crowing cockerel. Yes we did have a Cannolli, freshly made I must say - we walked into this old bakery where this older gentleman came from the back and without another word just said Cannoli, we said yes, two please and he took out his ingredients and made two incredible Cannoli s fantastic. A great day for a stroll in this most interesting city. Last night’s sunset, sail away, moonrise and volcanic activity on Mount Stromboli where all incredible - the announcement was made that we were close to the volcano and that there may be some activity, well there was and it was amazing. - hope you enjoy the pictures...