Medieval Castle of Longi

A Longi, in the Metropolitan City of Messina, the historic center of the town is enclosed within the walls of Medieval castle: around this very ancient fortification, the Castrum Longum, which over the centuries became Longi.

Already in the XNUMXth century, there was a military fort on site, built by the Sicans who had had to abandon Castro due to the Arab invasions.
Starting from the XNUMXth century, the military fortifications increased more and more, while the castle gradually became the heart of a real inhabited centre.

Its very long history has meant that the Medieval Castle of Longi was characterized by a superimposition of architectural elements, which still today bear witness to the passage of eras in the center of the village.

Equipped with warehouses and a cistern, the fort was an independent construction, where there were also the stables, the courtyard, the kitchens and the manor houses: the area facing north, in the direction of the river, is the oldest part, while the rooms facing the courtyard, on the ground floor, are the most recent ones, built around the XNUMXth century.

The architecture of the Medieval Castle of Longi and what to see inside

The Medieval Castle of Longi is not distinguished by a single architectural style, but is characterized by a large and varied overlap of styles, of different architectural elements which testify to the passage of different eras: from the Norman single-lancet window to the XNUMXth century main floor, in Castle structure you can read the passage of history.

The building is elevated above all the other surrounding houses and is accessed via narrow streets and sloping stairways. Protected by a wall, inside it has all the rooms of a castle, from the kitchens to the bedrooms.

When you enter from the main door, you immediately notice the coat of arms of the Lancia family and inside the fort you can visit above all the rooms most interesting on an artistic level, the eighteenth-century ones of Duchess Zumbo. Frescoes, drapes and everyday objects are present in all the rooms, making the journey even more interesting.

What to do in the Medieval Castle of Longi and its surroundings

If you organize a stay in Longi, the Medieval Castle could be your first stop tours in Sicily: admire the beauty of the frescoes, visit the entire castle and then go and discover the town.

From the village you can see the Nebrodi Mountains, natural wealth with the surrounding park, where you can go hiking and walking in the countryside; visit them Churches of San Michele Arcangelo (where there is a statue of Gagini), of S. Annunziata and of S. Silvestro; discover the Petagna Naturalistic Museum, to delve deeper into the natural history of the area.

Outside the village, there are itineraries to explore, such as the one that leads to Streta of Longi, to enjoy the natural spectacle of the two mountains that meet, or the one that reaches from Longi toAbbey of S. Filippo di Fragalà a Frazzanò, an ancient Monastery where you can rediscover your inner harmony.

Longi does not overlook the sea, but with a short journey of just over half an hour, you will reach the wonderful northern coast of Sicily at S. Agata di Militello, which is only 16 km from Capo d'Orlando: the entire coastal stretch is characterized by splendid sandy beaches, where you can relax while admiring the transparent waters that bathe the island.

Finally, the food is another of the shows offered by Sicily to its visitors: Nebrodi cheeses and cured meats, oil and bread, desserts and typical dishes such as prawn and mint salad or fried sausage, are the flavors not to be missed in Longi.

How is it possible to get to the Medieval Castle of Longi

Longi is a small municipality located in the Metropolitan City of Messina, from whose center it is 108 km away. Getting to the town is easy, both for those traveling by car and for those arriving by train.

By car:, take the A20 Messina-Buonfornello, until the exit for Rocca di Capri Leone, about 9 km from the village; on the train, get off at the S. Agata di Militello station, about 11 km from the town, which can be reached by bus or shuttle.