Messina, Sicily

 

Day 20 – Sicily (Messina), Italy  Saturday, November 22

Tour : Messina & Its Treasures

 

Upon entering the port of Messina you are greeted by a pillar with a statue of the Virgin Mary, Legend has it that St. John carried a letter from Mary (after the Crusifiction and after the city converted to Christianity). The letter said bless your City and your People.


Our tour started with a motor coach  panoramic tour along the north coast of Messina, offering stunning views over the Ganzirri Lakes and the Capo Peloro. The narrowest part of the Strait of Messina. The Strait of Messina is 3.1 Kilometers (1.9 miles) wide at the narrowest point and 5.1 Kilometers (3.2 miles) near the city of Messina 



This is one of two towers that sit at the narrowest point of the strait. Before Sicily had its own power plant wires crossed the strait at this point across these towers to bring electricity to the island.


Teatro (Theater) Vittorio Enamuele


The Court of Law


Over the centuries this church has been a Catholic Church, a Mosque, an Orthodox Church and back to Catholic.


The University


The Jewel of city The Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary. The impressive clock tower rings at noon which takes 10 minutes to complete.



Astronomical side of the clock , the upper (Black and Gold Ball) showd the cycle of the moon (currently a new moon so it is all black, the middle face showing the Astrological signs 


On the lower face, an Angel has an arrow that points to the current date 


Lining the walls are statues of the saints


Ornately Decorated Ceiling


Right side  Alter


Main Alter




Left Side Alter


Beautiful Fountain in the Church Courtyard


Trying the local Cuisine, before heading back to the ship.



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