MESSINA
From the perimeter of the
inhabited area, a reconstruction was attempted based on the
necropolis discoveries and sporadic finds of various remains.
A small sanctuary was identified, with ceramics dating back
to around the 8th Century to the 6th Century BC. A statue
Acefala of Igea and other works or art are preserved in the
National Museum. The currency dating back to the 5th Century
BC is of great artistic and general interest.
Regardless of the destruction caused by various earthquakes
and the grave damage provocated by the heavy aerial bombardments
of 1943, Messina has managed to preserve a good part of its
monuments, one by one tenaciously rebuilt after these tremendous
experiences; like the Norman Cathedral (1160), strengthened
by modern bell towers, with astronomical clocks, work of the
Strasburg brothers, Ungerer (1933), and the Gothic Church
of San Francesco, with apses from the 8th Century.
Other buildings were also restored, like the Church of the
Annunziata dei Catalani (from the 7th and 8th Centuries),
Arabian-Norman jewels of art, with Byzantine components, the
Church of Santa Maria Alemanna (remains 8th Century).
The beautiful 6th Century fountains of Nettuno (Neptune) and
Orione (Orion) by G. A. Montorsoli are also notable, together
with the bronze monument (1572), of Don Giovanni d’Austria
(the victor of the Lepanto (Nafpaktos) battles), the Sanctury
Montalto and the Votive Temple of Christ the King.
The National Museum is rich in works of art recuperated from
churches and convents destroyed by the earthquake: Polittico
of san Gregorio by Antonello da Messina (1473), the Resurrection
of Lazarus and the Nativity of Caravaggio, sculptures by Francesco
Laurana and the Gagini School.
The numerous touristic settlements along the coast (Taormina
to name but one), and more recently, the Eolie Islands, are
visited by a constant flow of Italians and tourists of other
nationalities.
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