When we talk about Francavilla di Sicilia we are referring to the town in the province of Messina, located on the north side of the Etna volcano and on the left side of the Alcantara river.
Therefore it is situated among the mountains Peloritani and the Nebrodi mountains, next to to the Madonies, all part of the Sicilian Apennines, located in front of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The town of Francavilla di Sicilia represents the access area to different types of natural scenery, namely the urban one, but above all the river one on one side and the mountainous one on the other, in a crescendo of nature trails different but all unique and exciting.
History of Francavilla of Sicily
The name 'Francavilla' perhaps derives from the French 'franc-ville', since perhaps in the past, under the French-speaking people, it was a town exempt from paying taxes. Today it falls within the metropolitan city of Messina.
Of very ancient origins, evidence can be found already during the Norman period, the age to which the monastery of San Salvatore della Placa and the castle whose ruins can be admired today.
From an architectural point of view, they are also worth visiting Mother Church, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, but also the Palazzo Cagnone. Other interesting historical cues can also be found in the so-called Antiquarium, or a museum-type structure which, in a transitory manner, houses important finds that occurred on site and which for the moment remain deposited here awaiting their definitive exhibition in other museums in the Italian territory. At the moment, for example, the remains of the archaeological excavations of the ancient necropolis are found here.
But the Arabs also passed through these parts in ancient times, as evidenced by the presence of the 'saje', those structures forming part of their irrigation system.
Francavilla of Sicily and Alcantara
The town represents, among other things, the gateway to the Alcantara river park, a place as wild as it is fascinating with the protagonist from the river, precisely the Alcantara, which it comes from the Nebrodi mountains and it is one of the main Sicilian rivers, capable of giving unique emotions, also thanks to the rocky landscape of volcanic origin.
The river also lends itself to being crossed on foot uphill with special boots provided on site by the guides who deal with tourism and safety, naturally taking care since the water is very cold, even in summer, and then there are the currents and slippery ground!
And what about the 'Gurne or Vulli of Alcantara', that is, that series of rounded lakes that meet here along the river and which give life to the typical plants that have built their habitat here?
Furthermore, there are also the 'Gorges' of Alcantara (also called Gole di Larderia) or those rock formations up to 25 meters high where the rock is nothing but magma eroded by time and solidified thanks to contact with the water of the river which, with its constant action, over the course of thousands of years has determined the formation of this canyon-like landscape with surprising shapes, with cold waterfalls and in any case with a whole route to explore, even by practicing sports such as river trekking or body rafting… groups of people dedicated to these activities are thus created! In fact, especially during the summer, the entire Alcantara Botanical and Geological Park becomes a much sought-after tourist destination in terms of bathing and hiking, also because it is well organized from the point of view of services (restaurants, bafni, parking) for individuals and for groups such as school groups and entire families, with children and pets included.
While the Gurne are within the territory of Francavilla di Sicilia, the Alcantara Gorges are located between the municipalities of Castiglione di Sicilia and MottaCamastra. Between hyper-courses available to move from Gurne at the Alcantara Gorges, very interesting is the one that allows you to start from the Church of Santa Domenica or Cuba and, skirting the river, you reach the Gorges. Thus, it will be possible to observe an old stone mill which in 1896 provided electricity.
What to do in Francavilla di Sicilia and surrounding areas
Francavilla of Sicily Nebrodi Park
Here, in fact, from Francavilla di Sicilia the transition from the river-type landscape to the mountain-type one is little more than a moment, given that without going far, you already enter the largest protected natural area in Sicily and established in 1993 , The Nebrodi Park, or that mountain range that extends from Messina to Palermo and which is characterized by its asymmetrical slopes, with its highest peak constituted by Monte Soro.
Characteristic and very thick is its vast vegetation, favored by a humid environment thanks to frequent rains. For this reason, the Nebrodi Park is also characterized by an autochthonous and typical flora and fauna which are the object themselves a tourist attraction, such as hazelnut trees, mushrooms or free-range livestock, in addition to the species o Nebrodi Park is well organized from a tourist point of view to host groups of people interested in entering the world of the Nebrodi, practicing for example activities such as the horse riding, or to devote himself to deoutdoor lunches in special picnic areas.
Livestock reared outdoors, in addition to bovine and equine species, is relevant to the presence of Nebrodi black pig', which lives in the wild in this area and is widely used in local gastronomic specialities. Also there Nebrodi Provola is another of the products to try if visiting these places.
In short, the territory of Francavilla di Sicilia Parco dei Nebrodi is the ideal starting point for exciting nature-based excursions and for discovering the territory that also has to offer typical archaeological and food and wine nuances. Why not include it in your next travel destinations in Italy?
