The Necropolis of Malvagna

The eastern coast of Sicily is one of the most beautiful areas of the entire island, thanks also to the presence of places such as Taormina, Acireale, Aci Castello and Giardini Naxos. Not far from the coast, in the hinterland of the province of Messina, there are pleasant and not very touristy places which however do not fail to surprise the visitor. Among these is the little one village of Malvagna, located in the heart of the beautiful Alcantara River Park, a stone's throw from the Alcantara Valley, from Etna Park and from that of Nebrodi. Despite its small size, it preserves sites of great historical and archaeological value in the area, among which necropolises stand out which take visitors back to ancient times.

Historical notes on the village of Malvagna

The presence of small necropolis in Malvagna demonstrates how ancient the territory on which the village stands is: here, in fact, remains of ceramics and bronze tools have been found, presumably dating back toBronze Age, as well as other finds from the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods.
Malvagna officially dates back to 1626, when Giovanni Lanza founded it and it was only with the spread of malaria among the inhabitants of nearby Mojo that it expanded further.
In 1627 Malvagna became, at the behest of Philip IV, a Principality home to many vassals attracted by the fertile land. Then came the Lanzas and then Salvatore Migliaccio, until in the mid-900th century it became a single municipality with Mojo.

Architecture of the Malvagna necropolises

One of the reasons why a history enthusiast should visit the village of Malvagna is the presence of ancient, albeit small, necropolises. It is assumed that these are rock burial sites built by the Sicilian civilization, who literally dug them into the rock. Over the centuries these cavities have been used for different uses, including shelter and shelter for animals.
They are located just outside the center of Malvagna and, if it weren't for the dark, vaguely circular caverns, it would be almost difficult to see the tombs, camouflaged with the rock into which they were dug. All around the Mediterranean vegetation, including olive trees, almost tends to hide the necropolises from the gaze of visitors. Above, however, it is possible to see a sort of covering made up of flat stones stacked together using the dry technique.

What to see in the surroundings of the Malvagna necropolises

In addition to the necropolises, in Malvagna there are many things to see, starting with the suggestive ones Byzantine Cuba: it is a structure dating back to the pre-Arab era, built between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries.
Also worth a visit there St. Mark's Church, Monastery of the Friars Minor , Mother Church of Sant'Anna, whose completion took place in 1934, of which you can admire a white façade.

It is advisable to then reach theArgimusco plateau, 1200 m high. and also known by his nickname Stonehenge of Sicily. It is located between the Nebrodi Mountains and the Peloritani Mountains and from its top you can see the Aeolian Islands and the Etna volcano. It is a fairly bare territory, with the presence of a few ferns here and there: what is striking are the rock formations that rise in their curious and bizarre shapes that recall a monkey, a mammoth, an eagle and female and male genitals.

How to get to Malvagna

To visit the necropolises of Malvagna and the other most important places in the village, you need to leave, by car, from Messina and take the SS114. You follow the sea passing through Ali Terme, Roccalumera, Taormina and Giardini Naxos until the deviation for the SS185, and then deviate again onto the SP1 which leads straight to Malvagna.

Those coming from Catania must take the E45 northwards, crossing the coastal towns of Aci Castello, Acireale, Giarre and Giardini Naxos. Also in this case you must first divert onto the SS185 and then onto the SP1 until you reach your destination.