FRANCAVILLA
DI SICILIA
Francavilla
di Sicilia stands at some 330m height in the territory of the Messina
province, not far from the Parco Regionale dei Nebrodi, as do most
of the province’s cities. The town stretches across the Alcantara
and Zavianni rivers’ valleys, a region with abundant water
resources and naturalistic sites that enhanced both farming and
tourism activities.
Evidence for the city’s eventful history is provided by relics
from the 5th century discovered across the territory. Historical
records go back to the Norman epoch, relating to the construction
of the Basilian Monastero of San Salvatore di Placa and a castle.
In the following centuries the town expanded remarkably. Some printings
kept within the convent of the Frati Minori Cappuccini seem to refer
to a violent battle between the Spaniard and the Austrian armies
in the area.
Several
charming events in town are much awaited, such as the procession
on Good Friday and the celebration of the Saint Patron Sant’Euplio,
held on 4 August.
The
town offers a range of tourist opportunities. The 1500’s Convento
dei Cappuccini is one of the most attractive buildings. It retains,
at the ground floor, the cells, the kitchen, the refectory and other
rooms related to the friars’ daily life. What is especially
attracting is the noble Chapel of the Ruffo-Balsamos, conserving
a precious 1800’s wooden altar decorated with carvings, a
1500’s painting representing the Enthroned Madonna and Child
with Angels, a 1600’s painting depicting Our Lady of the Assumption
with the Eternal Father and a 1700’s wooden statue of the
Virgin.
The
Chiesa Madre, with its 1400’s doorway with an ogival arch,
and the minor Spirito Santo’s, the Annunciation’s –
preserving a 1600’s wooden statue of San Francesco di Paola
and a 1700’s statue of Santa Barbara – and the damaged
San Francesco’s also deserve a visit.
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