Saracen Caves in Rometta

The history of Rometta and its Saracen caves

Through a spectacular path that flanks the hill, from Rometta, a small town in the Metropolitan City of Messina, you reach the suggestive Saracen Caves, just 850 meters from the town.

The small village of Byzantine origins houses various monuments in its historic centre, such as the XNUMXth century church dedicated to Santa Maria della Candelora, but in these places the story is intertwined with that of the Saracen caves, starting from the tenth century AD when the Arabi to colonize the area.

The village, known at the time as Erimata, was one of the last cities to resist the Arabs and the Caves, probably populated sinceByzantine era, were colonized: both in the Byzantine and Arab eras, the caves have however maintained a sacred function, protecting the religious in the cavities of the rock.

It was the archaeologist who discovered this network of underground tunnels Paul Bears, who also managed to unravel the mystery of natural caves, revealing their sacred function.

Today the caves are used as storage for animals and it is possible to visit them to discover a wonderful natural place that inspires meditation and sacredness.

The Architecture of Rometta and its Saracen Caves

Rometta and its Saracen caves are located in the hills; from an architectural point of view, visiting the village and the Caves is very interesting, because if the village presents monuments from the Byzantine, Renaissance and modern era, the Caves are an example of natural architecture: dug into the rock, they have a rectangular shape divided into 7 internal naves, thanks to the presence of the pillars of which 4 are still intact. Entering the rock caves, you can admire traces of the ancients frescoes from hundreds of years ago.

To reach the caves, you follow a path that borders the hill and offers a harmonious and impressive panorama, due to the might of the rock and the simplicity of the route, which penetrates between rock and vegetation, preparing the spirit to admire the beauty of the caves.

In the village, across Porta Milazzo, you enter the village that climbs the hill, where they await you Santa Maria della Candelora and the Mother Church, While the Church of Sant'Antonio da Padova it is located in the marine hamlet. The first is one Byzantine church a Greek cross, the Mother Church it is in Renaissance style and inside it houses precious sacred furnishings of the sixteenth century, while the Church of Sant'Antonio dates back to the thirties of the last century.

What you can do near Rometta and its Saracen caves

To visit Rometta and its Saracen Caves, we recommend organizing a stay in Rometta: from the village, the proximity is such that you can reach the caves even with a simple walk, which will give you the opportunity to discover all the beauties of the area!

In the village, the Church of Santa Maria della Candelora (or Church of Jesus and Mary) is located near Porta Milazzo, while the Mother Church is located in the northernmost area of ​​the village; the sacred building dedicated to Sant'Antonio da Padova is located in Rometta Marea, along the northern coast just 12 km from the centre. The Byzantine building is all to visit, while in the other parishes it is also possible to attend Mass.

From Rometta you can enjoy a fantastic view that embraces the hills, where the hamlets of San Cono, Gimello and Condurri, which in the summer season are populated by vacationers. From the village you can reach the Saracen Caves in less than 10 minutes on foot, about 2 minutes by car.

With a slightly longer journey, you can reach both the northern and eastern coasts of the island: Rometta Tide, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, can boast long stretches of sand and transparent waters, while just 29 km from the village, there is Messina. Once in the city, among the main monuments to visit, we point out the Duomo, which in addition to the beauty of the cathedral, also houses the astronomical clock on the bell tower; other sacred buildings that we recommend are the Votive Temple of Christ the King and the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Montalto, from which you can enjoy a view over the whole city.

To admire the spectacle of the two seas meeting, you can reach the Strait, looking for the Pylon of Torre Faro, which will show you a truly suggestive view, especially at sunset. Before saying goodbye to the city, take a "walk by the sea" in the marina area, from where you will also see Calabria.

Naturally, during a holiday in Sicily, you cannot do without good food and so you can fill your breaks between one attraction and another with taste, discovering the typical local dishes such as dentex in acqua pazza, rolls alla Sicilian and fried olives.

How to get to Rometta and the Saracen Caves

Getting to Rometta and its Saracen Caves, in the Metropolitan City of Messina, is easy: the closest exit is the one for Rometta, from the A20 Messina-Buonfornello, just 6,9 km from the centre; those who prefer the train will find no difficulty getting off at Messina Central Station, and then continuing the short 12 km journey to the town by shuttle or bus.