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Messina ::.
MESSINA Two great earthquakes hit this city, in 1783 and 1908, when it was almost completely destroyed;during WWII it was heavily bombed. Visit the Museo Regionale with Byzantine and Norman works as well as works by Messina’s famous artists, Antonello da Messina and Girolamo Aliprandi. Also interesting, the Mannerist building - Monte di Pietà and the church Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani, built in Norman times. The apse is a fine specimen of the Norman composite style, that combines Roman, Moorish and Byzantine features. The Duomo has been rebuilt in medieval style, after the earthquake of 1908. From the inside you may access the Treasury, which displays a precious collection of religious objects, vestments and reliquaries. The astronomical clock on the bell-toweris the largest mechanical clock in the world. It consists of several layers, different figures symbolizing the period of life, the death and the local legend of the Virgin Mary which delivers a letter to the ambassadors of Messina in which she thanks and agrees to protect the inhabitants of the town. There also is a perpetual calendar, with the signs of the zodiac, and the different phases of the moon. On midday all figures come to life. Next to the Duomo is the 16th century Fontana di Orione with allegoric statues of four rivers. Stroll through Via Garibaldi and Via I Settembre and look at the defensive works of Forte San Salvatore and Lanterna di Raineri. In Piazza Carducci there's the Città Universitaria; in the complex visit the Museo Zoologico Cambria. Also interesting: the Botanical Garden, Local Aquarium and the Sanctuary del Montalto.Do not miss the Museo Regionale. For excursions in the area: Ganzirri and Torre Faro, two characteristic, pictoresque fishing villages full of life. Or the medieval hill village of Savoca which boasts interesting churches like the Convento dei Capuccini, the 15th century Chiesa di San Michele with fine Gothic-Renaissance portals, and the Chiesa Madre. From Casalvecchio you’ll have a panoramic view over the Ionian coastline and may visit the Chiesa Madre, decorated with Taormina marble. |
Messina
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