Things to do in Scaletta Zanclea Italy – what to see attractions and activities

The Sanctuary is located just outside the town, on a hill. The building was built during the period when King Charles V dominated in Sicily. Thanks to testimonies, it is assumed that the sanctuary was built on 28 April 1568, the date on which a hermit bought the plot of land in which the construction stands. A special feature is the presence of a black wooden statue representing the Madonna.

The Gonzaga Fort was built on a robust natural relief known as Montepiselli. The fort is shaped like an irregular star and is surrounded by ditches. The small, but imposing defensive structure has a low silhouette with a strong escarpment and a star plan with six large angular ramparts of triangular shape. Today the fortress is the property of the Municipality, and is in excellent state of preservation.

The Bastion was part of a monastic complex built by Charles V and dedicated to the homonymous Saint that was built around 1537. Today of the bastion and the city walls that surrounded it, there is not much left, only the ancient homonymous staircase that was restructured following the earthquake.

The fountain of Gennaro di Messina dates back to the 17th century is located along Corso Cavour. It is composed of a statue of a young Aquarius, placed on a globe that represents the world and is surrounded by the band of the Zodiac. After the 1908 earthquake, the fountain was restored only in 1932.

The Garden of Messina was established in 1638 by Pietro Castelli. The vegetable garden is owned by the University of Messina. It was “demolished” in 1678 following the anti-Spanish uprising, and then rebuilt only in 1889. Today, the botanical garden houses several tree species from all over the world.

The Castellaccio, a building of ancient origins, is located on a hill 150 meters above sea level and, most likely, stands on walls built by populations before the Hellenes. Over the centuries, the structure has been rebuilt several times and, of the original project, only the rectangular plan remains.

Medieval monument of great historical importance, it was built in Norman times on the ruins of the ancient temple of Neptune. Re-emerged following the 1908 earthquake that brought down the additions.

The Orion di Messina fountain has been called the most beautiful fountain of the European sixteenth century. It was built in 1553 by Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli, disciple of Michelangelo, on commission of the Messina Senate. The fountain is rich in refined details and symbolizes the triumph of Orion, founder of the city.

Of Byzantine origin, the current basilica was rebuilt in the late twelfth century. Wonderful is the organ that is located inside. Another characteristic element is the tower that has the largest mechanical clock in the world.

The Treasure Museum of the Cathedral of Messina houses a very rich collection of precious objects of worship of the cathedral. It collects more than four hundred works dating from the twelfth to the twentieth century. The most precious object of the treasure is the “Golden Manta” created in 1668.

The Real Citadel is a fortress built in the 17th century with the function of defense of the port of Messina. Located on the San Ranieri peninsula, it was built by engineer Carlos de Grunenbergh. Access to the Citadel was through Porta Grazia, beautifully decorated by Domenico Biondo. The structure was in the shape of a pentagonal star with five angular ramparts.

The “Quattro Cavallucci” Fountain of Messina dates back to 1635, it was built at the behest of the administrators of that time. The fountain has a Baroque style and took its name from the four seahorses present in the fountain from which the water came out.

The Falconieri Fountain was designed by the architect Carlo Falconieri inspired by the Tuscan neo-Renaissance. The fountain was built in 1842 and is located in Piazza Bascio in Messina. Three years after the inauguration, four sea monsters were added with heads of man, lion, griffin and dolphin.

The Allegorical statue of Messina, was built in 1852, by Giuseppe Prinzi. The statue is located in the center of Largo Minitoli. Initially it was located inside the City Hall, following the restoration in 1967, it was placed on the current site. It is in white marble and in his right hand, he holds the decree by which Ferdinand II of Bourbon granted to the city of Messina Portofranco.

The Senatorium Fountain of Messina is located in via Consolato. Initially, it stood at the Piazza del Palazzo Reale and only in 1937, with the arrival of Benito Mussolini in Messina, it was moved to the current site. The fountain consists of a circular marble basin from the center of which stands a base that holds a cup, decorated with baccelletti, on which the seven names of the Messina senators are engraved and the year of the creation of the tank, 1615.

The Shrine of Christ the King is located on Viale Principe Umberto. The building was opened in 1937. The Shrine of Christ the King has an octagonal shape with a high dome where eight bronze statues have been added and at the top of the access staircase is the statue of Christ the King by T. Calabrò.

The castle of Matagrifone is located on Viale Principe Umberto, where today stands the Shrine of Christ the King. Its position on a dominant hill, close to the historic center, has always made it a privileged point for controlling the city. The building has an octagonal shape with a high dome where eight bronze statues are added, and at the top of the access staircase is a statue of Christ the King.

Multifunctional center of the city of Messina, it was built in 1975 on a project to form an inverted pyramid. Within it has an auditorium, an outdoor theater, a library and an exhibition center.

Designed by renowned Florentine architect Gino Coppedè, from whom takes its name, Coppedè building is a building in eclectic style easily recognizable thanks to the unmistakable majestic eagles that are included in the grates of the balconies.

The fountain of the Pigna dates back to the 18th century and was built by city artisans. Until 1988, the fountain was located in the center of Viale Boccetta, then it was moved off Seguenza, due to the increased traffic. It consists of a tub on three steps and a column that supports a tray topped by a pine cone from which the name of the fountain also derives.

Our Lady of the Port is located at the entrance to the Port of Messina, on the tower of Fort San Salvatore erected in 1546. The monument is 35 meters high and was built by engineer Francesco Barbaro. The Statue of the Madonna is a symbol of the city of Messina.

The palace is a recent construction in the architecture of the city. We can note the elements of the post-floral style that the architect C. Bazzani used. The palace is located in the area where once stood a famous church of the '500 of which, today, only the beautiful Tribune remains, positioned on the back. Once you enter, you can see a large atrium decorated with columns, with a majestic staircase leading to the upper floors.

The fountain of Neptune of Messina was built in 1557, by Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli. Initially, the fountain was placed in front of the Palace on the docks of the port. God Neptune with his shoulders facing the sea, symbolizes the blessing of the city of Messina. Today, the fountain has been positioned north and rotated with the front of the sea, changing symbology.

Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia is located near the historic center of Messina and consists of the Prefecture Palace and the Fountain of Neptune that dominates the entire central space. The latter is the work of Giovanni Angelo Montorsi depicting the God of the Sea as he announces to the Messina that he had subsided the currents of the Strait.

The Bastion of San Vincenzo was positioned in the homonymous fort, already existing in the ancient city walls of Messina. It was built at the behest of Charles V, and designed by the architect Antonio Ferramolino, with the aim of strengthening the defense of the city and providing an urban planning of Messina.

The Bios Fountain was designed and built in 2005 by the Messina painter and sculptor Ranieri Wanderlingh. This work was donated to the city of Messina by the “Gazzetta del Sud” for the 50th anniversary of its foundation. The Bios fountain, 18 meters long and 6.90 meters high, is composed of two elements tapered in reinforced concrete and symbolizes the continuity of life generation after generation.

The Regional Museum of Messina was established in 1806 with the aim of enhancing Sacred Art, through the paintings dating from the fourteenth to the eighteenth century. Among the sacred furnishings are exhibited, a gradual unpublished in 1481 work by a Dalmatic friar, coming from the church of Santa Maria di Gesù, the paliotto called the Ciambretta of the 17th century embroidered with threads of gold and silver, beads, the style cross of the 17th century and the Immaculate Conception in silver foil.

The fort is located in the center north of Messina and enjoys an excellent view as it is located on a high level. It has a symmetrical trapezoidal shape and is equipped with a drawbridge entrance. The whole structure consists of three levels that are connected by two ramps and numerous internal and external stairs. For many years it was in very bad condition, but, after being renovated, the building has been excellently recovered and is often used as a venue for events and exhibitions.