A Guide to Messina

Messina is the closest Sicilean town to the Italian mainland and located on the most north-easterly point. Shakespeare famous ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ is set here and it is not surprising that it is a location of great natural beauty. Other famous names were inspired by Messina’s renowned beauty such as the painter Antonello da Messina who lived here.

The towns sites include the Messina Cathedral, the Cathedral Belltower, the Church of St Maria degli Alemanni, the Church of Ringo, the Badiazza, the Church of SS. Annunziata dei Catalani, Palazzo Calapaj-DAlcontres, Palazzo Monte di Pietà, the Vittorio Emanuele Theatre, the Cittadella and Porta Grazia, the Botanical Gardens and the Matagrifone castle.

There are many other attractions in the area such as the Fortress of San Salvatore, the statue of Messina and of Ferdinando II, the Lanterna San Ranieri, the fountains of Orione, Nettuno, Falconieri and Senatoria, the Museum Regionale with works by Antonello da Messina and Caravaggio.