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Provinces of Sicilia: Messina

Messina lies on the north-east coast of Sicily on the Strait of the same name separating the island from the mainland.

Founded as Zancle in the second half of the 8th century BC. by Chalcidian Greeks, its name was changed to Messene in about 490 BC. with the arrival of settlers from Messenia. Later conquered by Syracusans, Mamertines and Carthaginians, it came under the influence of Rome in 264 BC. After the fall of the Empire, Messina was dominated by the Goths before passing to Byzantium in 553 and Arab rule in 843. It became a Norman possession in 1061. From this date, its history was that of the Kingdom of Sicily. Messina was on several occasions struck by an earthquake and the last, in 1908, almost destroyed it completely, claiming over 60,000 victims.

Its monuments include: the Duomo, rebuilt to its original 2nd century forms, of which something remains (portals, mosaics, tombs); the Orione fountain (16th century), the church of the SS. Annunziata dei Catalani (Norman style, partly rebuilt) and many other churches rebuilt after the earthquake.

Messina's economy relies prevalently on the service sector, with expansion also of port activities, important for cargo and passenger shipping (ferries to the mainland); employment in the public sector is significantly high, also in tourism related activities. There is little industrial development, the existing industries comprising small to medium-sized companies in the building trade, foods, engineering, boatyards and chemicals.

Events: Fiera Campionaria Internazionale (International Trade Fair, August), Sfilata dei Giganti (14th August), Processione della `Vera' (15th August), Concert season.

Famous People: Antonello da Messina (artist, 1420-1496).

Cultural Institutions: University, Conservatorio `Corelli', Geophysical Observatory, Accademia dei Pericolanti, University Library, Biblioteca Comunale, Museo Nazionale.

In the Province: Milazzo (port of call, tourist and industrial centre), Taormina (Antiquarium, Greek theatre), Aeolian islands, Tindari (ruins of Greek city), Giardini Naxos (archaeological museum), Castroreale Terme.

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