Messina is one of Sicily’s most picturesque ports and it’s also a popular cruise destination. While you may be tempted to rush through this bustling port city, you should take the time to explore its colorful streets.
One of the city’s most enchanting attractions is its Norman cathedral. This medieval monument boasts a Gothic portal and an astronomical clock on the bell tower. It also hosts an entertaining show at noon.
1. The Duomo
The Duomo in Florence is a colossal, red-rooftop cathedral that’s been dominating the skyline of this Tuscan city since its construction. Designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, the Duomo’s cupola was revolutionary at the time, and still is an engineering feat today.
If you’re visiting Florence, there’s a lot to see and do at the Duomo, so make sure to plan your itinerary accordingly. If you want to climb the dome or see the inside, it’s best to book a guided tour in advance (see below).
Tickets for climbing the cupola sell out virtually every day, so it’s important to plan ahead. The queues can be long, so it’s recommended to visit as early in the day as possible for shortest wait times.
2. The Bell Tower
Bell Towers are a great way to get a bird's eye view of your city and are often found at the center of cities. Throughout history, bell towers have served as a focal point for community activity and they can be found in a wide range of locations from churches and civic centers to memorials and universities.
The Bell Tower of Xi'an is one of the most famous landmarks in the ancient Chinese city. Originally built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), it was relocated in 1582 to keep it central to the city's development.
This tower is located at the Guangji Intersection of East Street, South Street, West Street and North Street in Xi'an. It is made of a quadrate brick-wood structure, standing 36 meters tall (118 feet).
On the base of this bell tower are 56 reliefs depicting various scenes and themes from medieval history, and statues are positioned inside sixteen niches representing the principal forms of human work. These bas-reliefs are a great example of how the medieval world interpreted its religious beliefs and reflected them in art.
3. The Regional Museum
The Regional Museum, or Mume Messina, is one of the city's most underrated attractions. It has a fascinating collection of paintings and sculptures and is a must-visit for any art lover in Sicily.
Its impressive array of artworks includes works from some of the world's most famous artists. It also holds many beautiful pieces from local artists.
Some of the most memorable pieces include The Adoration of the Sheperds, by Caravaggio, and The Raising of Lazarus from the Dead, by Antonello da Messina. In addition to these, the Museum features other masterpieces from Italy's leading artists such as Francesco Laurana and Domenico Gagini.
4. The Camposanto
The Camposanto is a beautiful cemetery built around loads of earth brought back from Golgotha by the Crusaders. According to legend, it is so hard that the bodies buried here rot in a day.
The cemetery, which is surrounded by Gothic porticoes, was founded in 1277. During the 14th century, a cycle of frescoes adorned the walls, created by artists such as Francisco Traini, Bonamico Buffalmacco, Taddeo Gaddi, and Antonio Veneziano.
The cloisters of the Camposanto contain one of the finest collections of Roman sarcophagi in the world. Today, only 84 survive, but before the war and reconstruction, there were hundreds more on display.
