MESSINA Escorted Tours   Independent Hotel Stay       Hotel Villas and Relais       Sightseeing Transfers The city of Messina is a pleasant town located, with the best harbour, on the Strait of Messina between the Tyrrhenian and Ionia Seas, in northeast Sicily. History and culture The city of Zancle, the old name of Messina, was founded around 750 BC by Greek settlers. The legend tells that they were pirates and shortly thereafter, Messenians settled at Zancle and gave it the name Messana. Messina became known as a nest of pirates, who preyed on shipping passing through the strait. After the city's foundation, the population was regularly increased by refugees from several Greek areas. In 397 BC Messina was destroyed by Carthaginian, who was forced to give up the city by the tyrant of Syracuse who rebuilt the city around 396 BC. In 312 BC the city was taken and occupied by Agathocles who used Latin mercenaries from Italy, the Oscans. After the death of Agathocles, these mercenaries took control of the city of Messana, massacred the inhabitants and established a military republic. In 264 BC Messina was taken by the Romans. This was the beginning of the Punic Wars. Under the Romans Messina was a major port and communication with the Italian mainland. The natural port was the best available along the coast in either direction, and the strategic value of controlling the strait was early recognized. Messina remained under Roman control until the fall of the Roman Empire in Sicily. The Arabs took over rule in Messina in 843 AD. Historical buildings and monuments Cathedral (1097) National Museum Monte di Pietà (17 th cent.) Church of S. Giovanni di Malta: (an example of Sicilian Baroque) Church of Annunziata dei Catalani (XII cent.) The ruins of Church of S. Maria Alemanna (XIII cent.) Escorted Tours   Independent Hotel Stay       Hotel Villas and Relais       Sightseeing Transfers © 2008 by Appianline << Back