|
|
The
Ionic band of the province of Messina, held between the Peloritani and the sea, is
composed of two distinct territorial areas: one, between Scaletta and Roccalumera
essentially gravitates towards the chief town (Messina), the other from Santa Teresa to
Giardini finds its point of reference in Taormina. All of the coast, however, has
increased an intense seaside tourist business that within the Taormina district is
sustained by a highly developed hotel structure The route along the eastern side allows us
to admire glimpses of panoramas of rare beauty and to penetrate an artistic world featured
with numerous monasteries and churches, prevailingly basilian, that scatter the territory
as far as Valle d'Agrò. Climbing from Mili Marina (8 kilometres from Messina) towards
Mili S. Pietro placed at 199 metres on the slopes of the Peloritani we find the chiesa
basiliana di S. Maria, founded in the 11 th century and partially remade until 1600.
Successively, within the vicinity of Ponte Schiavo, one can admire the ex Benedectine
Monastery of S. Placido Calonerò today the site of an agricultural institute, that has a
robust architectural design raised between 14th and 16th century. Scaletta, and the Mount
of Scaletta Zanclea, offer imposing views of the Castle (13th century) today partially
used for modem art exhibitions. In Itala (210 metres above Itala Marina) there is the
chiesa basiliana di S. Pietro of the 11 th century. Following the route between the hills
and the sea one passes. Alì Terme, site of thermal establishments, Fiumedinisi (190
metres) with its enchanting streams and a lively social life that is expressed in
particular in the festa della vara that is celebrated in August on average every five
years, Mandanici (417 metres) preserves in its Mother Church valuable works in wood, (a
crucifix and choir of 18th century), Nizza di Sicilia and Roccalumera whose beautiful
beaches have encouraged a flourishing tourism in bathing and successively S. Teresa Riva.
|
In
the interior, along a road immersed among citrus orchards, at 300 metres rises Savoca,
rich in architecture and art of the 15th and 16th century. Above Savoca at 400 metres is
situated Casalvecchio Siculo, from where one enjoys a splendid view of the valley of
torrente Agrò At approximately 3 kilometres from the village there is the most beautiful
chiesa basiliana in Sicily, dedicated to SS. Peter and Paul. Work of the protomaster
Girardo il Franco and completed in 1172. The exterior, imposing and squared, is
characterised by a vivacious pictorial game determined by alternating lavic stone and
limestone; the interior shows an austere architecture and three naves. Capo S. Alessio
rises as a peak on the lonio, on a promontory surrounded by rocks and crowned by the
castello, the oldest part of which is 14th century. The alternation between coast and
mountainous slopes leads to Forza d'Agrò (420 metres) from where great panoramas
dominate. The village, of medieval design, is dominated by a 16th century castle. By the
sea we find Letojanni, today intensely touristic with considerable hotels and accomodation
to rent, and further along, the famous Mazzarò beach. After the capo S. Andrea there
opens the marvellous bay of the Isola Bella and a little further along the Via
Pirandello that leads to Taormina and offers wonderful views of the panorama including the
Isola Bella, Capo S. Alessio, the strait of Messina and in the background the Calabrian
Mountains, the Aspromonte.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
1/2
