Milazzo
Piero: Alberto, what a pleasure seeing you again!
Alberto: hi guys, I have an idea that I'd like to share with you.
Angela: sure, tell us everything.
Alberto: I would like to tell you a little bit more about my land, Sicily. What do you think? I could start with the Tyrrhenian coast overlooking the Aeolian Islands, and then bring you with me around this beautiful island.
Angela: it's a great idea! We can't wait to learn a little more and see the beautiful photos you took.
Alberto: we will start from Milazzo then: if we want to talk about the Aeolian Islands we can only start from there! Click HERE to see all the images!
Piero: it is a very ancient city founded by the Ancient Greeks with the name of Mylae (hence the name of the nearby river Mela).
Angela: the Ancient Greeks wanted to exploit its fertile plain, its strategic position and above all its natural harbor.
Piero: under the Roman empire domination, an important battle was fought during the first Punic War and then another decisive battle in the clash between Octavian and Pompey.
Alberto: over time its importance has remained intact and so with the Normans and Spanish dominations.
Angela: above all you can meet Milazzo in Italy history books because of a battle fought between the Bourbons troops and those of Garibaldi: this is an important battle, which laid the foundations for the Italian unification happened in 1861.
Piero: as many times happen, myths are intertwined with history: the waters in front of Milazzo are those of Homer’s Odyssey; Ulysses arrives there, driven by curiosity, to reach the cave of the most terrible of the Cyclops, Polyphemus. Many places, especially in Sicily, compete for the honour of preserving the home of the Cyclops met by Ulysses: clearly it is not easy to understand which place Homer was inspired by in his poem. However, the Cave of Polyphemus in Milazzo is located under the fortress of the castle. It is a natural cave that was used as a weapons depot, where saltpetre powder was extracted and stored for the manufacture of gunpowder.
Angela: what a story! I'd love to visit it.
Alberto: it is not possible, I’m afraid. First of all because it is private property and it is currently closed and not open to visitors. I think it hasn't been open since the 70s, when it became a reception room where weddings and ceremonies were held.
Piero: what a pity. Who knows what it was like inside ...
Alberto: I know that there are a number of natural rooms. Others were excavated in medieval times. There were also a stage for musical performances and a dance floor.
Angela: I'm a little sorry for Polyphemus, he is now left all alone ...
Piero: let's hope that someone will intervene soon!
Alberto: history and myth that make this place even more fascinating!
Piero: it all began in the VIII century BC with a small settlement right where you now see the ruins of a castle.
Angela: very nice! Is it open to the public?
Alberto: sure! Just imagine, it is the largest fortified citadel in Sicily. It is wonderful from the outside and stunning from the inside. Outside, in the charming old village, there are also some places that are worth spending a few hours in.
Angela: I think I read that a sea museum has also been opened a few years ago inside the castle ….
Alberto: you do know a lot of things! Yes, the MuMa. An experience that I truly recommend to everyone in order to understand how important it is to protect nature and the sea.
Piero: religion obviously goes hand in hand with history and myth.
Alberto: it's true! In 1221, a Portuguese missionary was traveling on a ship from Africa directed to Lisbon; due to a violent storm, the boat was diverted to Capo Milazzo and that missionary was sheltered for a few days in a cave: he was St. Anthony of Padua and the point where the cave is has become an enchanting church.
Piero: it is an important destination for pilgrims, especially on June 13th, the day on which the saint is celebrated. It was tradition to walk to get there facing the complicated climb to Capo Milazzo.
Alberto: how wonderful! The view from the balcony is beautiful and you can admire the whole promontory of Capo Milazzo, with Monte Trino, the bay and the Nebrodi mountains in the background.
Angela: what about the city?
Alberto: there is a very beautiful promenade along the eastern side: from there you can admire the entire gulf. Especially in the evening it is a meeting point for the people living in the area. There are several restaurants, bars and an exceptional artisanal ice-cream shop: it's called Sikè (visit his page: facebook.com/sikegelato). The master ice-cream maker is a really cool guy as well as one of the most renowned ice-cream makers in Italy!
Angela: anyway Alberto, you are guiding us through a beautiful seaside town, in Sicily and you still haven't told us where we can go for a nice swim in the sea!
Piero: you know that Alberto has to give us first the historical background and bla bla bla ...
Alberto: how nice! There are certainly many, but my favourites are three places. The first and most famous is the Baia del Tono or 'Ngonia del Tono. While the seafront promenade I mentioned earlier is to the East, the Tono is to the West. Words cannot be enough to describe this place, see for yourself from the photos.
Angela: how wonderful! I hope there are also some bathhouses, you know we are always traveling with children.
Alberto: of course, even if most of the beach is public, there are several bathhouses with some services available. They are all very nice, but in particular the Stone Beach and the Horizon are the most popular. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a restaurant with an hotel in the area, I would definitely bet on the “Ngonia Bay”.
Angela: I see some trails in the photos, can we walk?
Alberto: yes, of course! You can walk on the beach and then there is a trail along the promontory. One of the most characteristic walk trails is called "N’fennu e Paradisu", which means Hell and Heaven. It starts right from the West coast, near the Baia del Tono, and after several stairs you arrive at a point with a beautiful view of Milazzo and the bay. From there, it starts a trail that winds along the cliffs overlooking the sea until you reach the top of Trino Mount, from which you can enjoy a fantastic view over Capo Milazzo.
Piero: the other two places to go to the beach are still missing!
Alberto: are you in a hurry? The second place is located at the very end of the Milazzo promontory, Pool of Venus or Piscine di Venere. To get there you have to go first to Capo Milazzo, necessarily by car, then there is a trail. You will walk through an olive grove, admire a lighthouse and then you will down the stairs that will lead you to these natural pools.
Piero: the walk to reach the sea is an experience that it is worth doing it in every season of the year.
Angela: I am sure it would be nice spending the holidays in Milazzo ...
Alberto: yes, I would say. I know how much you like to eat and enjoy a beautiful view, so you will be definitely interested to know that Capo Milazzo is also a place full of night life. There are several restaurants and lounge bars. Maybe we'll have a lunch at the “Bellavista restaurant”.
Angela: why not! You are organizing the tour, I guess you will also pay for it …
Alberto: I'm just your guide ...
Piero: forget it, Alberto. Please, tell us what is the third and last place to go to the beach.
Alberto: it is a little bit off the beaten path, therefore it is not always crowded: you have to stop along the road that leads to Capo di Milazzo. It can be reached walking down a few stairs in the middle of the green. I'll show you some photos, maybe next summer I'll be able to take you there myself ...
Angela: that would be amazing. You’re in Sicily now, correct?
Alberto: right, I'm at your disposal.
Piero: thanks Alberto and… don't worry, we will buy you lunches and dinners.
Angela: I used to think Milazzo only as a port for the Aeolian Islands, thanks to you I now discovered that it is a land of sea, culture and history!
Piero: to summarize everything we just said, let’s watch this short video!
