Castle of San Marco d'Alunzio

Among the artistic and cultural beauties present in the area of San Marco d'Alunzioin province of Messina, i stand out ruins of the Norman Castle. A structure designed in a strategic position in the area to allow you to have a possible excursion of enemies under control.

The ruins of the Castle of San Marco d'Alunzio

The Sicilian territory, in particular the Messina area, is full of interesting ideas for those who love to discover the treasures left by dominations that have characterized its history such as the Byzantine, Aragonese, Norman, Roman and Greek ones. This consideration also and above all concerns the municipality of San Marco d'Alunzio in which there is a truly interesting concentrate of art and history.

Among the most famous and appreciated structures by tourists, there are the ruins of the Norman castle and many archaeological finds connected that are still visible in the room today municipal museum of San Teodoro and San Giuseppe Parish Museum.

The Norman castle is located in the highest part of the territory of San Marco d'Alunzio, at the time chosen to better defend the possessions from possible attacks by enemy peoples who could also and above all arrive from the sea. According to scholars the Castle of San Marco d'Alunzio it was done build in 1061 da Robert Guiscard taking up an ancient structure of a castle dating back to an earlier era.

Subsequently the castle was used for military purposes but also as the residence of an important family such as the Altavillas. In confirmation of what has been said, there are documents and parchments that tell of this transformation into a residence with particular reference to the presence of Adelasia, the third wife of King Roger.
Unfortunately, over the years and the catastrophic events that have characterized the Messina area, there have been major damages that have led to a progressive abandonment of this wonderful castle.
Today the ruins of the Norman castle in San Marco d'Alunzio are mainly represented by splendid walls in the facing square, continuing to hold great charm of interest for tourists, but also for young married couples who choose this location to immortalize their most beautiful day.

What to see in San Marco d'Alunzio

There are many other locations of historical, artistic and cultural interest to visit in the area of ​​San Marco d'Alunzio. Specifically at the entrance to the community in the area known as Gebbia floor, excavations are underway thanks to which a whole has been brought to light necropolis dating back toHellenistic era with pit graves. All these tombs are mostly made between the XNUMXth and XNUMXnd century BC, while in one of these a bronze kottabos of great artistic value which today can be viewed at the local museum.

Then there are several architectures of religious interest such as the temple of Hercules built by the Greeks during their domination and later revised and reused for the needs of Christian worship. Furthermore, among the numerous religious structures still perfectly preserved today there are, the church of San Teodoro made with a Greek cross and with interesting decorations and the Church of the Most Holy Saviour dating back to the XNUMXth century. There are also religious buildings from more modern times but equally important for the quality of the materials, for the decorations created, for the frescoes and canvases as in the case of the Mother Church dedicated to St. Nicholas of Bari and church of the Aracoeli.

How to reach San Marco d'Alunzio

For those departing from Messina there is a route of just over 100 km which can be covered in an hour and 20 minutes of travel which involves first using the A20 motorway and then the E90. For those who want to reach San Marco d'Alunzio coming from Catania, 194 km are needed which can be covered in 2 hours 30 minutes. The fastest and best way is to take the A18 and then, once you arrive in Messina, use the same directions given above.

David Mauro, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons