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Messina: Port Information
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The origins of Messina are uncertain, as is the case with other cities on the island of Sicily. The first evidence of the city concerns Zancle, its first name, as baptised by Zanclon, a character of mystery and legend. The historical centre of the city was constructed by the Phoenicians who made Messina a flourishing commercial centre, followed by Greek colonists from Cumae and Euboea.
Messina's strategic position made it attractive to all the Mediterranean powers of ancient times, including Syracuse and Carthage, who made it a military port, and later the Romans, leading to the first Punic War. Then the island saw the arrival of the Barbarians, followed by the Arabs and Normans, who in 1000AD freed the city from the Muslims. Under Norman and Suevian rule Messina knew a period of extreme grandeur and intense commercial activity. It was during this period that the basic design of the modern city was established.
The Normans governed until the arrival of the Angevins, followed by the Aragonians. There was then a period of intense struggle, with the result that, from 1400 onwards, Messina was integrated within the Reign of Sicily. In 1821 and 1847 the city witnessed a bloody, popular revolution calling for independence, and in 1848 Messina was threatened by the Bourbons. Narrowly escaping destruction and then freed by Garibaldi, Messina was yet to endure the most dramatic event in its history.
In 1908 the city was almost entirely devastated by a massive earthquake. Further tragedy struck during World War II when the city was severely bombed, resulting in the most ancient part of Messina being destroyed. Only the archives are left to witness the grandeur and pride of a city often subdued but never defeated. Perhaps because of this traumatic history, the inhabitants of Messina cherish the historical remains of their city. Among the most beloved monuments is the Cathedral, which, according to historians dates back to the time of Justinian, who commissioned it, and Pope Boniface II.
The Cathedral was first destroyed by earthquake, then by fire and subsequently fell victim to the wars and revolutions that blighted the city. Reflecting the tenacity of Messina's inhabitants, each time the Cathedral was destroyed it was rebuilt to an even greater grandeur, with a rich collection of masterpieces. The most recent reconstruction was in 1923, after Messina was hit by earthquake.
The Cathedral is perhaps the most exquisite example of Norman art on Sicily. Equally beautiful is the many-times restored Victor Emmanuel theatre. Another interesting building is found in the Monte di Pietà, built in 1530 by the noble San Basilio Confraternity, with the intention of assisting converted women and bringing comfort to prisoners sentenced to death.
The inhabitants of Messina are devoted to the Madonna, called locally the White Lady. The name originated from an attack by the French in which a mystery lady dressed in white defended the city walls by spreading a white veil and making the bulwarks impregnable. According to legend, it was the Madonna who had answered calls for help from the city's population.
The sanctuary Santa Maria dell'Alto is dedicated to the Madonna and is where Queen Constance, King Ferdinand, Queen Mary Christine of Savoy, King Victor Emmanuel and Pope John Paul II once to professed their religious devotion. The sanctuary is still a centre of great spiritual importance to the people of Messina and is the destination of numerous pilgrimages. |
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