After a day at sea, our second stop on this cruise was at Messina, Italy. We had stopped
here on the first cruise but had spent our time in Taormini. This time we stayed in Messina
and wandered around the city. One of the best spots was the Basilica with its beautiful
bell tower and astronomical and astrological clocks. Sicily was occupied over the centuries
by Greeks, Romans, Normans, and Ottomans, just to name a few. The Basilica clearly shows
the Norman influence in the interior, as does the Basilica of Saint Anthony. In one of the
pictures, note the pattern in the floor, an optical illusion that makes one think that the
surface ripples as it is walked on. Many of the older buildings were heavily damaged by
earthquakes, one as recent as 100 years ago. As a result, they are rebuilt and restored.
Like much of Sicily, the town is very hilly with landmarks towering over the city. On the
waterfront is the iconic Lady of the Letters statue.
(Click on a picture to see it larger. Opens in a new folder.)
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