Montalbano Elicona - Montalbano Elicona

Montalbano Elicona is a city of Sicily in the province of Messina.

To know

The town is part of the circuit of the most beautiful villages in Italy, an exclusive association of small Italian towns that stand out for their great artistic, cultural and historical interest, for the harmony of the urban fabric, liveability and services to citizens. proclaimed Borgo dei Borghi 2015.

It is characterized by the presence, in the ancient part of the town, of an ancient castle which was the summer residence of King Frederick II of Aragon.

Background

The first evidence of the existence of the village dates back to the 11th century, when it was state property. In 1232 he revolted against Frederick II of Swabia, siding with the pope along with other centers. Later it belonged to several feudal lords: to Matteo Palizzi in 1350, to Vinciguerra d'Aragona in 1359, to the Lancias in 1396, to the Romano Colonna, to the Bonanno in 1587.

How to orient yourself

How to get

By plane

The nearest airports are the airport of Catania-Fontanarossa, about 102 km away, and the airport of Reggio Calabria about 95 km away.

By car

It is connected via the A20 motorway Messina-Palermo, with exit-junction of Falcon, about 20 km from the city center.

On boat

Among the closest ports, there are Milazzo, with links for Naples is Aeolian Islands, which is about 40 km away, and of Messina, with national and international connections, from which it is about 70 km.

On the train

Montalbano Elicona can be reached via the railway station of "Novara-Montalbano-Furnari", about 22 km away, and located in the municipality of Terme Vigliatore.

By bus

The Municipality of Montalbano Elicona is served by the AST (Azienda Siciliana Trasporti), with urban connections with various cities, mainly in the Province of Messina, such as for example Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, Milazzo, Messina.

How to get around

The streets of Montalbano Elicona are quite narrow, there are stairs and even steep climbs, so it is more convenient to walk.

What see

• 38.02506315.0100641 Cathedral of Montalbano Elicona (Minor Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta and San Nicolò Vescovo), Piazza Duomo. It is the largest of the churches of Montalbano Elicona dating back to the seventeenth century and is located in one of the highest points of the city.  
• 38.0236315.0115272 Church of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria, Street Garden (a short distance from the castle). Reconstruction of a pre-existing place of worship, dating back to 1344. It contains a marble statue of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria from the 16th century, attributed to Antonello Gagini.  
• Church of San Domenico (Shrine of the Most Holy Mary of Providence). 17th century church flanked by the former Dominican Friars Convent, now the seat of the Town Hall. It contains a wooden statue with drapery of the Holy Mary of Providence dating back to the 16th century; the Madonna carries a bunch of spikes and holds the Child in her arms who holds a globe in his left hand and blesses with his right, a work attributed to Alessandro Pantano. 

• 38.02330515.0140473 Sanctuary of Providence, Piazza Maria SS della Provvidenza. 
• Church of San Michele. Church of the XII-XIII century, damaged by the 1978 Patti Gulf Earthquake. 
• 38.02486915.0094 Church of the Holy Spirit, via the Holy Spirit. Small church from 1310 with a single nave. 

• 38.023815.01095 Montalbano Elicona Castle, Piazza Castello (In the historic center of the medieval village). The area of ​​the castle is identified with the primitive Roman fortress on which the successive fortifications of Byzantine style settle, culminating in the reconstruction carried out by the Normans. In the more than eight centuries of history, the castle has passed ownership several times due to alternating and obscure events. Inside the manor there is the Palatine Chapel of the Holy Trinity, an exclusive privilege of the sovereigns. Here is the Spartan tombstone of Arnaldo da Villanova. Doctor, mathematician and alchemist, advisor to the Crown of Aragon.  

• Medieval water mills. 
• Photographic museum dott. Eugenio Belfiore. Over two hundred black and white photographic works are exhibited, representing more than a century of history of the country and of the whole Sicily. 
• 38.02381915.0118416 Arches of via Palermo, via Palermo. In this stretch of road there are a series of medieval arches. 

Events and parties

• Living nativity scene. Christmas time. 
• Historical parade. 
• Summer event. 
• Feast for Our Lady of Divine Providence (In the church of San Domenico). August 24. 
• The Aragonese festivals. August. Medieval festival and processions. 

What to do

Shopping

• 38.02496715.0166431 La Dispenza shopping market, Via Provinciale, 60, ☎ 39 0941 679536. It sells local products such as meats and cheeses. 

How to have fun

Where to eat

Moderate prices

• 38.02627415.0186031 The Sciarbonata, via rocca dell'elmo, ☎ 39 389 184 0789. dinner for two € 25 (Jul 2020). Restaurant with excellent quality of food. The owners are very friendly, the products are local and the menu with a few selected dishes. Not to be missed, especially for the excellent value for money. 
• 38.02498315.0168382 Maiorana bakery, Via Provinciale, 70, ☎ 39 0941 679189. 
• 38.02433415.0155143 Trinacria Bar, Via Provinciale, 89. 

Average prices

• 38.02459815.0101514 The meeting of the kings, Corso Principe Umberto, 13, ☎ 39 346 765 4897. Mon-Fri 09: 00-24: 00. 
• 38.0231615.0136925 Il focolare restaurant and bar, Corso Principe Umberto, ☎ 39 0941 679135. 

Where stay

Moderate prices

• 38.02469315.0158841 "The Cure" Dolmen House, Via Provinciale, 107. 40 € double (lig 2020). Basic rooms and very low price. Good location. 

Safety

In Montalbano Fabiana water is produced, therefore the quality of tap water and fountains is excellent.

How to keep in touch

Around

• 37.9880315.0427781 Argimusco plateau (A few kilometers). Archaeoastronomic site that is part of the Bosco di Malabotta nature reserve.  

Nearby you can go to Novara of Sicily, Castiglione di Sicilia, Francavilla of Sicily is Randazzo. In the north direction it can be reached Tindari is Milazzo.

Itineraries

• Route of the Tholos

Useful information

• 38.02371615.0144022 Montalbanese Pro-Loco Tourist Association, 1 Piazza Maria SS. Of Providence, ☎ 39 0941 679384. 

Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Montalbano Elicona
• Commons contains images or other files on Montalbano Elicona

Usable : the article respects the characteristics of a draft but in addition it contains enough information to allow a short visit to the city. Use i correctly listing (the right type in the right sections).