Villas in Sicily with Pool to rent

Discover Messina

The majestic gateway to Sicily

An important cultural and commercial centre, Messina is the gateway for travellers heading to Sicily. A visit to the Norman-origin Cathedral, home to the second largest organ in Italy, and the world's most complex and largest mechanical astronomical clock, is a must. The university, founded in 1548 by Saint Ignatius of Loyola, is also worth a stop.

The province is home to beautiful Taormina, famous for its characteristic pedestrian streets, archaeological sites and breathtaking views. The natural terrace located on Mount Tauro, 1 206 metres above sea level, offers a unique view of the Mediterranean. The village is home to the Greek Theatre, the second largest theatre 2 in the entire region. Treat yourself to a few hours of relaxation on the beach overlooking Isola Bella, a picturesque islet that has become the very symbol of Taormina.

If you are in the area, a visit to the villages of Novara di Sicilia, Tindari and Milazzo is a must. The latter is also famous for the Venus Pool, a paradise for snorkelling enthusiasts, from which you can easily reach Lipari, Vulcano or Stromboli.

Discover the charm and power of nature by immersing yourself in the icy waters of the Alcantara Gorges. You can walk between the lava walls, as well as go rafting, climbing and trekking in the geological park that surrounds the gorges.

Things to See

There aren't too many remnants of historical architecture in the city due to earthquakes (especially the one in 1908) and World War II bombings. However, there are still enough things to make it worth a stroll through the city centre streets. The areas around the Sanctuary of Madonna di Montalto and Cristo Re offer splendid panoramic views of the harbour and the Strait of Messina.

Churches

• Messina Cathedral (Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta). A 12th-century Gothic-style cathedral, consecrated in 1192.
• Messina Astronomical Clock (Next to the cathedral). The Norman-era bell tower of the Cathedral has been rebuilt several times and today contains one of the world's largest astronomical clocks, built in 1933 by the Ungerer company of Strasbourg.
• Church of Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani (Chiesa dei Catalani). One of the few churches to have survived the 1908 earthquake. Its origin dates back to the 12th century in a later Norman style with elements of Arab influence definable as Arab-Norman style.
• Shrine of Christ the King (on a hill north of the Sanctuary of Madonna di Montalto). Built on the remains of the medieval castle of Matagrifone, the Cristo Re is a majestic domed memorial chapel with a beautiful panoramic view of the harbour and the Strait. Built in 1937, it serves as a burial chamber in honour of some fellow citizens who died in Africa as soldiers during World War II.

Civil Buildings

• Palazzo Zanca (Messina City Hall). A building constructed in 1924 in neoclassical style with decorations under the direction of Antonio Zanca.
• Galleria Vittorio Emanuele III. An eclectic building constructed between 1924 and 1929 in Art Nouveau style.
• Palazzo Piacentini (Palace of Justice). It was built on the area of the Great Hospital destroyed in the 1908 earthquake. 
• Palazzo del Monte di Pietà. The current building is essentially a ground floor of the former palace built starting in 1616, severely damaged by earthquakes first and by World War II bombings later; its rusticated facade and the inscription "Monte di Pietà" remain evident. It is used as a cultural container.

Museums

• Messina Regional Interdisciplinary Museum (MuMe). A museum containing many works from the ancient churches of the city, which was struck by the 1908 earthquake, with various collections of medieval art and modern works. There is also a section dedicated to the archaeological finds of the city. Notable works include the San Gregorio altarpiece by Antonello da Messina, and the Resurrection of Lazarus and Adoration of the Shepherds by Caravaggio, as well as several sculptures by Antonello Gagini and Laurana. Outside, there are some porticoes and monumental elements of buildings destroyed by the earthquake. In 2017, the museum completed a lengthy restoration and now presents itself with new, expanded exhibition spaces.
• Museum of Popular Culture and Music of the Peloritani
• Provincial Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art .The premises also house the permanent exhibition "Life is not a Dream" dedicated to the poet Salvatore Quasimodo. 
• Cathedral Treasury Museum 
• "Cambria" Zoological Museum. A museum attached to the Faculty of Biology of the University of Messina.
• Historical Museum of the Permanent Fortification of the Strait of Messina
• Permanent Exhibition of the Vara and Giants
• Horcynus Orca Museum of Contemporary Art (MACHO).The museum is part of the park of the same name which overlooks the Strait. The museum displays a collection of paintings, sculptures, installations and video works, all by artists from the Mediterranean area.

Other Attractions 

• Torre Faro. It is one of the two disused electricity pylons of the Strait, built in 1957 to support the 220kV power line. It is a 224-metre-high steel lattice tower, which is now an observation tower with a 200-metre-high platform: you have to climb and descend 1250 steps, but the magnificent view of the enormous structure and the beautiful view of the Strait of Messina are definitely worth it! This is one of the closest points of the strait, and the Calabrian coast appears very near.
• Nearby is also the Capo Peloro lighthouse.
• Municipal Aquarium
• Villa Dante. Green space with an arena for summer shows. "Pietro Castelli"
• Botanical Garden. It is located in the urban centre of the city of Messina, and its foundation dates back to 1638. It was destroyed by the Spanish after 40 years and later rebuilt between 1883 and 1889. It suffered a considerable reduction in area following the 1908 earthquake, which almost entirely destroyed the city, and today it occupies an area of approximately 8000 square metres.

Things to do

• Capo Peloro Lagoon Oriented Nature Reserve (In the Ganzirri district near the Lighthouse Tower). This nature reserve also includes Lake Ganzirri and the Lighthouse Tower area with the tip of Capo Peloro. Although heavily influenced by human activity, the area allows many bird species to find important shelter, so much so that it has been included in UNESCO's Water Project. There are several seafood restaurants in the surrounding area.

What to Eat in Messina

• Messina-style Focaccia. This is a tall and very soft focaccia, strictly baked in a wood-fired oven and served in large rectangular slices. The ingredients of the traditional recipe include a topping of tomato, escarole, anchovies and a cheese of your choice between tuma and mozzarella, although it is possible to find every variation. Messina-style Focaccia is also defined as Messina-style Pizza, a local reinterpretation of the most famous Italian dish.
• Messina-style Pidone. This is a half-moon shaped rustic pastry similar to a calzone. With curly endive (escarole), tuma cheese, salted anchovies and pepper, cooked fried or baked. Messina-style Puff Pastry Paté – San Daniele. It is one of the most delicious specialties that can be found in bars and hot food counters. It consists of a triangular puff pastry filled with ham, tomato and cheese.
• Messina-style Stockfish and Salt Cod.  Being a location that develops along the Sicilian coast, the city of Messina boasts a great gastronomic tradition also in fish-based specialties. Stockfish and Salt Cod are among the main ingredients of Messina cuisine, used for the preparation of tasty typical specialties that are served in all the restaurants and trattorias of the area.
• Messina-style Braciolette.  Among the main courses of Messina cuisine, we mention Braciolette, delicious meat rolls that before being placed on the grill are marinated with EVO oil and spices, so as to make the dish even more tender and tasty, and then sprinkled with toasted breadcrumbs. Finally, the ingredients for the filling are placed on the Messina-style bracioletta, in which caciocavallo cheese can never be missing, so as to be then rolled up and placed on the grill.
• Messina-style Ghiotta.  Ghiotta is a sauce that is obtained from the cooking of fish, which can be used for the preparation of numerous dishes, from first to second courses. In the menus of Messina restaurants it is very easy to find specialties such as Spaghetti alla Ghiotta, Swordfish alla Ghiotta and Stockfish alla Ghiotta.

• Messina-style Black and White.  Black and White is the Messina-style reinterpretation of profiterole, whose differences are almost minimal. In the Messina variations it is possible to find a different filling compared to the traditional chantilly cream, which remains one of the most popular ingredients also for this delicious Sicilian dessert.
• Messina-style Granita.  The queen of summers is always the very fresh Messina-style Granita, which right in this area saw the origin of coffee granita, strictly to be enjoyed with freshly whipped cream and with the inevitable Brioche with "Tuppo". During your holiday in Messina, go to any bar on its coast to order a delicious "Menza cu' Panna", as it is usually called around here, to make your holiday day perfect. Messina-style Granita is also perfect to enjoy by the sea, while enjoying the wonderful landscape of its most beautiful beaches.
• Messina-style Piparelle.  Piparelle are the traditional biscuits of Messina, prepared in a simple way and with few ingredients, using only honey, almonds and flour. These biscuits require a double cooking, so as to be even more crunchy on the palate.
• Messina-style Torciglione.  With Messina-style Torciglione you can experience one of the tastiest breakfasts of your life, thanks to this dessert that comes in two variations, fried and baked. The dough with which it is prepared is the typical one of brioche, but unlike the latter it is served with a delicious filling of ricotta cream, custard or chocolate.

In the surrounding area 

The closest tourist towns are Milazzo and Capo d'Orlando on the Tyrrhenian coast of Sicily, Taormina and Giardini-Naxos on the Ionian coast, and Reggio Calabria across the Strait of Messina. Via Villa San Giovanni, it is possible to reach Scilla and Tropea. On a clear day, one can ascend the Peloritani Mountains to reach the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Dinnammare, where you can enjoy a splendid view of the entire Strait of Messina at an altitude of 1100 metres. The cult of the sacred image at the church is very ancient and linked to several legends. According to one of them, the panel was found on the top of the mountain by a shepherd boy who took it home, but the next day, upon waking, the panel had disappeared, only to reappear on the top of the mountain. The event supposedly repeated itself for two consecutive days. Upon hearing the news, the parish priest of Larderia wanted the sacred image to be kept in the church, but again, the next day, it was found on the mountain. The inhabitants of the village then built a sanctuary on the mountaintop. According to another legend, the image was carried on the backs of two dolphins, who deposited it on the beaches in front of Larderia, where it was found by some fishermen and later taken to the top of the mountain. The two dolphins, in fact, accompany the depiction of the Madonna and Child. In the surrounding area, there are also several hiking trails.