Messina guide

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Messina (Missina in Sicilian) is the third largest city on the island of Sicily, Italy and the capital of the province of Messina. It has a population of 250,000 inhabitants in the city proper and about 500,000 in the metropolitan area. It is located near the North-East corner of Sicily, at the Strait of Messina, just opposite Villa San Giovanni which is itself north of Reggio Calabria across the straits, on the mainland. The main economical resource of the city is the port, both commercial and military, with several shipyards. Agriculture include cultivations of lemons, oranges, mandarin oranges and other fruit, vegetables and wine. The city has been a Catholic Archdiocese seat since 1548 and is home to a locally important International Fair. Founded by Greek colonists in the 8th century BC, Messina was originally called Zancle (a native word for "scythe"—but in legend the name is attributed to King Zanclus) because of the shape of its natural harbour. (The stairs leading to the harbour are to this day called 'Scaletta Zanclea'.) In the early 5th century BC, Anaxilas of Rhegium renamed it Messene in honor of the Greek city Messene.

The city was almost entirely destroyed by an earthquake and associated tsunami on the morning of December 28, 1908, killing about 60,000 people and destroying most of the ancient architecture. The city was largely rebuilt in the following year, according to a more modern and rational plan. Further damage was added by the massive Allied air bombardments of 1943, which caused thousand of deaths. Later, the city gained a Gold Medal for Military Valour and one for Civil Valour in memory of the event and the subsequent effort of reconstruction. In June 1955, Messina was the location of the Messina Conference of western European foreign ministers which led to the creation of the European Economic Community. Graphic sourced with thanks from http://www.gentracer.com


Latest Tweets featuring Messina

  • bryceeeeeeee

    @morgan_messina I wasn't going to do it! campbell pressed the button.

    Today, 00:54

  • ambermichelle07

    You can say you've got issues You can say you're a victim It's all your parents' fault, I mean after all you didn't pick em ❤Jo dee messina

    Today, 00:53

  • morgan_messina

    @bryceeeeeeee I still cant believe you did that. #hewantsme haha jk its whateves. #youcraycray

    Today, 00:53

  • 949NowPlaying

    Lesson In Leavin' by Jo Dee Messina #nowplaying

    Today, 00:51

  • Riley_Messina

    @hellolittlelady yeah, so are mosquito bites to the face.

    Today, 00:50

  • CastilloIsaias1

    @Liizbth_Messina no fueron pal Eugenio?

    Today, 00:50

  • bryceeeeeeee

    @morgan_messina @cam_morris21 @mpendi19 at least he wasn't like eww shes ugly or anything. he probs didn't even know you all were fb friends

    Today, 00:49

  • morgan_messina

    RT @idillionaire: Only a fool makes threats, & only another fool feels threatened.

    Today, 00:48

  • YoGene21

    @Liizbth_Messina hahhahahah! Tranquila haha looca Desde Donde Comienza el Repaso de Lengua Española?

    Today, 00:48

  • tweetspalermo

    Castelvetrano: messaggio schock Matteo Messina Denaro Ti.V.B http://t.co/CD9EPvH3 #palermo #news

    Today, 00:47

  • morgan_messina

    @bryceeeeeeee @cam_morris21 @mpendi19 #REJECTED

    Today, 00:46

  • emi_messina

    @Flor_de_P Quiero tomarme ese tren! TREEEEN! Jaja!

    Today, 00:46

  • MylaUnique

    My Lil Messina makes me smile 😁😁 http://t.co/Zc5B67bX

    Today, 00:46

  • kristin_messina

    RT @NickScheld: New drinking game: Take a shot every time you don't give a fuck about finals. #hashtag

    Today, 00:46

  • morgan_messina

    @bryceeeeeeee pahahahahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahhaha. Nice.

    Today, 00:45

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