 Introduction
Arrival Plane
The nearest airport to Milazzo is on the Italian mainland at Reggio di Calabria. A bus will take you to or from the Stazione Centrale in Reggio to the airport. The two main airports in Sicily are - one based in Catania and one based in Palermo. Airlines who fly into Sicily include British Airways, Volareweb, Ryanair, Air One, Alitalia and Air Malta.
Train
The trains run more frequently than the bus, with 2 departures and arrivals every half hour from both Palermo and Messina. For many visitors, this is the most convenient way to reach Sicily from the Italian mainland. Trains with connections from all over Europe, including Rome and Naples, arrive at the port of Villa San Giovanni, near Reggio Calabria, in southern Italy.
Sea
Milazzo is the closest port to the Aeolian Archipelago and many ferries and hydrofoils operate daily to this destination averaging 40minutes to 1 hour and a half depending on your preference and of course budget. The main companies are: Siremar which operate ferries to and from Naples and Aeolian Islands 6 times a week in summer, about 3 in winter and SNAV who operate in summertime only to the Aeolian Islands.
Car
Follow the A3 south to Reggio di Calabria, getting off at Villa San Giovanni and taking a car ferry across the Straits of Messina head towards Palermo and take the exit for Milazzo.
Bus
From Messina take the Giuntabus service which runs almost half hourly to Milazzo. Or take the intercity bus which run's from Piazza della Republica along the Quayside. Bus services also shuttle foot-passengers from the port at Milazzo to several of the major towns in Sicily.
History and Culture
Churches and Museums
Started by San Francesco himself in 1465 to 1467 it is located next to the monastery and houses fine art, which includes an very beautiful wooden chapel with a painting of the Virgin with Child by Domenico Gagini in the 15th century. Also six other paintings by Letterio Paladino from 1691 to 1743 and in the Sanctuary are preserved the mortal remains of the Blessed Candida Leonte from Milazzo.
Chiesa della Madonna del Rosario
Once served as the seat of the Inquisition Tribunal as late as 1782. Established in the 16th century, it was heavily refurbished in the 18th century, the interior is completed with stuccoes and frescoes, the latest editions are by the local painter Domenico Giordano.
Historical buildings and monuments
The extraordinary Castle occupies more than 17 acres perched atop of the ancient Borgo. The oldest part of the castle dates back to 4000 BC. In the 8th century BC the Greeks colonizers extended it with their citadel (Acropolis), then the Romans and Byzanthines converted it into their castrum. In 843 it was the Arabs who built the massive central tower and named it Maschio and continued to build eight more towers around it.
In the centuries that followed the Normans and Swabians contributed by adding more buildings, the Aragonese reinforced the defensive system, then by 1529 the Spaniards finished it off by surrounding it all with an impressive wall circle with bulwarks, creating the so-called Cittadella. As a result of the Spainiards labours which took almost 50 years was a massive defence system consisting of two huge parallel walls, separated at the bottom and connected at the top by a vaulted roof, under which were water cisterns, warehouses, stables and prisons. Apart from the astounding history of this national monument the 360 degree view from the top of the castle includes the Aetna seas, the Messina Strait, the Milazzo plain and the Aeolian islands.
Palazzo dei Vicere
Dated from the 16th century then refurbished in the 18th century with the addition of balconies with Baroque brackets.
Places of Interest
The Borgo is considered the old town. It incorporates the medieval quarter reaching along the slope of the hill and the citadel located above it. The Borgo hosts several religious buildings; Santuario di S. Francesco di Paola, Salita S. Francesco, Palazzo dei Vicere, Chiesa del SS. Salvatore Salvatore, also Chiesa della Madonna del Rosario. The Borgo also leads to the Spanish city walls.
Capo Milazzo
The tip of the peninsula is called Capo Milazzo which hosts a variety of restaurants atop a cliff over looking the water below, there are nature areas and also an 18th century lighthouse.
The Citta Bassa
Following popular vote of the people of Milazzo in the 18th century to live in a flatter town close to the seaside commenced the development of the Città Bassa, thus abandoning the old city above. Their new city expanded around Piazza Caio Duilio, next to their favourite fish market that took place every morning. Today the piazza is lined with elegrant buildings like Palazzo Marchese Proto, once the headquaters of Garibaldi, Chiesa del Carmine, Madonna della Consolazione and Convento del Carmine, which is today used as the Town Hall.
Beaches
During the summer periods the beaches are frequented by mainly Italian tourists. The beaches are comparable to other beaches on the Island, the attraction to this particular area is the affordability and the value for money for most tourists. Also when not bathing in the sun or the azure waters the local historical highlights are a great alternative to pass the time.
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Milazzo Travel Guide
