BED AND BREAKFAST
Milazzo
How to reach the city of Milazzo, in the province of Messina (Sicily):• by car on the highway Autostrada A20 Messina - Palermo, exit at Milazzo - Isole Eolie
• by train get off at the Milazzo station
• by ship from Palermo, Cefalù, Napoli
• the closest airports are in Catania and Reggio Calabria
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The peninsula of land that extends from the Sicilian coastline towards the Aeolian Islands is home to the city of Milazzo. It is not just one city, but three, which mixes many different architectural styles. Overlooking the city of Milazzo is the castle and the ancient walls. The old city center or “borgo” lies in the shadow of the Castle on the foot of the hillside and has many examples of striking medieval architecture. The modern city is found along the coastline and near the port. “Modern” relative to the “borgo”, yet some of the building in this zone are from the 1500s. |
Even though Milazzo may be known for its production of fruit and flower plants, the people of Milazzo are very attached to the Sea. Sailors and fisherman continue to honor the important marine traditions. Each year the Italian Navy celebrates the 10th of June in honor of one of their soldiers. Indeed, on June 10th, 1918 in the waters of Premuda in the Adriatic Sea, an Italian battleship commanded by Luidi Rizzo from Milazzo sunk the Austrian battleship “Santo Stefano”. The Sicilian Marine was awarded his second Metal of Gold because of this admirable feat. He received his first Metal of Gold for sinking the Austrian battleship “Wien” within the port of Trieste in 1917. |
The Castle of Milazzo is within the circular “walled city” with walls that date from the 16th century. The Castle dates from the 1500s and is a unique example of a Sicilian fortified, gothic city. It is a precious site that contains the ancient “Palazzo dei Giurati” and the “Duomo” or old cathedral, which is one of the most important monuments of Italian Mannerism. An elegant and antique structure that resembles the Byzantine churches of the “Croce Greca” design as projected by Camillo Camilliani, a disciple of Michelangelo. |
The old city center, or “borgo antico”, is distinguished by the large number of churches that appear to be piled up on top of each other for lack of space. Particularly enchanting is the 18th century “Badia San Benedetina” of S.S. Salvatore with its splendid paintings, the church Domenicana of our lady of the rosary, or "Nostra Signora del Rosario", which was rebuilt in 1538 and was the site of the office of the Saint and the Tribunal of Inquisition along with the other parts of the antique convent, as well as the church and convent of San Francesco of Paola that exhibits an elegant façade. |
The Cape of Milazzo offers amazing and unique views: from the Aeolian Islands to the white cap of Mt. Etna that reaches a height of 3,325 meters and towers over the mountain ridges of Nebrodi. It is an unforgettable site and a photographer’s dream, and has a unique history. In the year 1220, the Portuguese Saint Antonio of Padua took shelter in a grotto located at the cape, which now homes a sanctuary in his memory. Today the calm waters surrounding the cape see the wake of hydrofoils carrying tourist to the Aeolian Islands. However, these waters were once the site of famous, historic naval battles, including the 260AD victory of the Romans over the Carthaginians. On this occasion the Roman Consul Caio Duilio had planks installed from the warships, to facilitate the movement of Roman soldiers onto enemy ships. In this way, soldiers could fight upon the ships. Two centuries later the waters of Milazzo saw the annihilation of the fleet of Pompeo by the warships of Ottoviano. Other important battles include that between Milazzo and the Bourbon military, which opened the street to Naples, the capital of the King of Bourbon. The General Garibaldi and his volunteer army known as “the thousand” fought an important battle in Milazzo on July 20th, 1960 and conquered the Castle. |
Important tourist destinations include the church of “Santa Maria Maggiore” in the heart of the coastal fishing community of “Vaccarella” and the convent of Father Cappuccini. The 19th century “Palazzo Comunale” that is surrounded by modern constructions, the New Cathedral or “Duomo Nuovo” that was built between 1937 and 1952 during the years of the World War. Even though it is located in the modern part of the city, the 15th century church of San Giacomo still stands, and has been restored several times. The Saint is pictured in a large façade on the ceiling, the work of Scipio Manni. The Peninsula of Milazzo has been inhabited since the Neolithic period, in part due to its strategic location for maritime traffic to the Aeolian Islands, Messina, and Palermo. The Romans called the city Mylae, while the Arabs opted for the name Milàs. The people of Milazzo, or milazzesi, are known above all as “blood of tuna” because of the thriving tuna fishery that has existed for centuries. The fish was considered “meat for the poor” and was a key staple for people of all colors that went fishing. Even to this day, Milazzesi continue to honor the Saint San Francesco of Paola the patron saint of Sailors, Saint Antonio of Padua who took refuge on the Cape, and Saint Stefano the patron Saint of the City. Naturally, they ask for “good fishing.”
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Bed and Breakfast Villa Felicia - via Nettuno 66 - 98057 Milazzo (ME) P. Iva 02937940837Cell. +39 347 1266194 Tel. +39 090 9240549 |
