Messina and its surroundings
The beautiful city of Messina – between the Strait of Messina and the Peloritani Mountains – has always been regarded as the "Door to Sicily". Throughout centuries, the different descents that have dwelt in Sicily (Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Arabs) considered Messina as one of the most longed-for destinations. This was due to its safe port which contrasted the dangerous sea between Scylla and Charybdis. In spite of some devastating earthquakes and World War II bombing, which have strongly affected the territory of Messina, this modern Arabian phoenix still shows a vast and worthwhile cultural, natural, and landscape heritage.
