Saracen Tower in Roccalumera

The Saracen Watchtower in Roccalumera

The Saracen watchtower in Roccalumera that can be admired today dates back to the XNUMXth century even if it is supposed to have been built on another existing tower built during the domination of the Sicily by the Arabsin defense of the coast.

The watchtowers, in case of danger, were used to communicate with each other during the day with mirrors and at night with fires. Furthermore, to warn the inhabitants of an imminent attack, the bells rang and a messenger left to warn the more distant villages. Through these notices, the population found refuge in the tower or, alternatively, they moved away to reach hilly areas.

Precisely because of the configuration of the tower, where the ground floor was occupied by the invaders, the refugees went up to the upper floor continuing to defend themselves. When gunpowder was invented, three mouths were opened in the tower where to place the cannons that were facing the sea while the cavalry from nearby castles rushed to the rescue to help the besieged.

The first owners of the watchtower was the Rocca family, nobles who gave their name to the town of Roccalumera.

During the XNUMXth century the Tower became a fixed point for Grand Tour travelers who found accommodation nearby.

In 1830 the Tower underwent modifications. In fact, they were opened in the upper part of the building two pointed arch windows framed with white stone and also the roof saw the implementation of battlements.

Analyzing the documents of the time, the Tower was considered the best tower ever built between those located on the coasts of Sicily and the strongest one.

It is a mistake to define it as ''Saracena'' and rising in the Ficara district, the Tower sometimes took this name, as well as Palma and later Zia Paola.
However, in a document, the building is called with the name of Sollima because of a noble family from Messina who settled in Marina di Pagliara and at the end of the fifteenth century he had a palace built as their residence.

Instead the name of Ficarra Tower it may derive from the Arabic Fakhar, which means mighty. The denomination Palma dates back to Roman times due to the fact that the fortification of that era was located in a place of this name.

Its defensive purpose faded with the disappearance of piracy and the Tower saw yet more modifications in the second half of the XNUMXth century when a telegraph was installed.

Architecture and any works of art present in the Saracen watchtower in Roccalumera

The Saracen watchtower in Roccalumera at the end of the sixteenth century had a cone-shaped roof, two openings on the upper part and a small entrance door which was located above the plinth. On the other hand, there was a stable for horses.

What you can do around the Saracen Watchtower in Roccalumera

Undoubtedly the proximity to the splendid Taormina makes this town an unmissable destination to visit.

Porta Messina is the northern entrance to the historic centre. Going beyond it you arrive in the main street of Taormina, Corso Umberto I. Conversely, Porta Catania is the entrance from the southern part of the town. These doors were an integral part of a system fortification made by the Arabs to defend the city. Between Messina Gate e Porta Catania rises Middle Gate, known as Clock tower.

The currently visible Porta Messina is the one that Ferdinand IV of Bourbon inaugurated at the beginning of the XNUMXth century.

It is recommended to visit Piazza Duomo, preferred location by illustrious personalities who visited Taormina such as Brahms, Wilde, Dumas jr., Wagner, Guy de Maupassant etc.

In this square, in addition to the most important religious building in the city, there is also the Palazzo del Comune and in the centre, a seventeenth-century fountain attributed to a pupil of Montorsoli rises from a series of circular steps.

Obviously you cannot miss a visit to the oldest and most important of Taormina: the Greek Theatre. Its location allows you to have a scenic overview of both the Ionian Sea and Etna.

Surely the theater was built by Ierone II, the tyrant of Syracuse during the XNUMXrd century BC as evidenced by the name of his wife, Philistide, engraved on some steps.

The Romans, in the XNUMXnd century AD, reconstructed it with a cavea having a diameter of over one hundred meters and steps divided into nine sectors. At the top of the steps, a double portico is visible, protected by a vault, which has thirty-six small niches which perhaps housed statues. During the Roman era, the theater was used as an arena to host gladiatorial games. For some time, the theater has hosted cultural events of various kinds.

How is it possible to get to the Saracen Watchtower in Roccalumera

By car:

50 km from Catania "Fontanarossa" airport: Take the A18 Catania-Messina motorway towards Messina, exit for Roccalumera.

From Messina, take the A18 ME - CT motorway and exit at the Roccalumera tollbooth.

From Palermo head towards the A19 PA-ME highway and head towards the A18 Catania-Messina highway and exit at the Roccalumera tollbooth. (exit before Taormina)

© Carab65, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons