Oliver Castle

Oliveri is a locality linked to the history of Tindari and its fortress which, at the time, together with Marina di Patti and Mongiove, constituted a natural eastern port of call for the Greek-Roman colony which was strategically located on the promontory. Today, the Oliver Castle, is an inspiring tourist attraction to visit.

History of the Castle of Oliveri

It is said that the town's name derives from a mythical palatine of Charlemagne, such Oliverus, famous for epic deeds known since the year one thousand.

The story tells that once this knight landed on the coast, he was so attracted by the beauty of the area that he decided to install a settlement there which was the first inhabited nucleus.
Much more likely the name derives from the many centuries-old olive trees that characterize the area.

Obviously over the centuries the Castle of Oliveri has seen various structural and functional modifications dictated by the needs of the various owners who have followed one another and even if today only a few remains remain, that is enough to make this place fascinating. Among the owners are Vinciguerra d'Aragona, Raimondo Xamer, the Gioeni family, the La Grua family, the Paratore Merlo family and the Bonaccorsi princes of Patti who are still the owners.

Il Oliver Castle fu built during the XNUMXth century at the behest of Count Ruggero in defense of the stretch of the Tyrrhenian coast and the Aeolian Islands, and is one of new walls. between older of province of Messina.

Architecture and works of art present at Castello di Oliveri

As mentioned, the Castle of Oliveri has seen, over the centuries, various modifications including structural ones and the current appearance, more than a fortification, is reminiscent of a noble palace even if surrounded by walls and bulwarks.

The base has a regular square shape and rises on three floors with large windows both on the four sides and on the buildings added later.

The mighty bastions that frame the entrance remain visible and the cylindrical tower that the ancient family chapel.

On the courtyard are the entrances to the rooms once service while, right in the center of the main façade, there is an entrance hall dominated by a pointed arch with an important staircase and access to the rooms located on the noble floor. An extended garden surrounds the building where there is also the church with a single nave.

Recognizable on the architrave of the main portal, the engraved coat of arms of the Paratore barons certainly dating back to the beginning of the XNUMXth century when this family was invested with the title. Dating back instead to the mid-twentieth century are some additions such as the terraces and stairs in reinforced concrete that clash with the pre-existing architectural harmony. The interiors, not open to the public, are well preserved in their original appearance.

What you can do around the Castle of Oliveri

Oliveri is an ideal base to see many attractions in the province of Messina also due to the proximity of the highway.

Do not miss the visits of Novara di Sicilia, Tripi, Montalbano Elicona, Capo Milazzo and Castroreale.

Definitely closer to the Castle of Oliveri remain both the Sanctuary of Tindari that the Marinello Lakes Nature Reserve.

Il Sanctuary of the Black Madonna of Tindari refers to one legend which tells that this sculpture, saved from the iconoclastic persecution prevailing in those times in the Near East, was transported by sea by a ship that had sheltered from a storm in the natural bay of the lakes of Tindari. When the good weather returned, the ship tried to sail but it was not possible until after having abandoned the statue of the Madonna on the shore.

The locals took the statue to the hill above where there was a small church which from that day on was the destination of such continuous pilgrimages that it was necessary to expand it to accommodate the faithful until it became a sanctuary which has a cross-shaped basilica plan Latin with three naves and a square transept. The base is in marble and the pitches are covered with blue ceramic panels. From the northern part a beautiful loggia has been built which allows you to admire the underlying Marinello lakes.

La Marinello Lakes Nature Reserve it can be reached by going down a staircase that leads to both the beach than to the lakes. It is a reserve of no less than four hundred hectares where nature is preserved.

How is it possible to get to the Castle of Oliveri

By car:: you must take the A20 Messina-Palermo motorway, exiting at the Falcone tollbooth and after 300 meters take the crossroads for Oliveri.

Images of Ephems, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons