We are in Tripi, a very small town of 750 inhabitants located 450 meters above sea level in the Metropolitan City of Messina: the town is famous for being the site of the ancient city of Abaceno and for one of its three hamlets, that of San Cono, where the famous Grotta del Santo.
Between history, architecture and some pleasant curiosities, start your journey to discover Tripi di Messina with us.
What to see in Tripi di Messina: the Cave of San Cono
Visiting Tripi di Messina, you will find several sites of tourist interest: the remains of the city of Abaceno and the Grotto of San Cono, but also the Castle and the Santi Furnari Archaeological Museum. If the city of Abaceno is only partially visible today, in its ruins still present in the village, the Grotta di San Cono is instead a visitable destination, immersed in the wonderful surrounding nature and guardian of history and legend, which you can only discover by entering the cave. So here are some hints about the history of this mystical place: the fraction of San Cono it is right in front of the historic village of Tripi and can be reached with a short journey of about 6 km. Here, in excellent condition, is the Grotta di San Cono, a natural opening carved into the rock and used as a place of worship.
La legend of San Cono it is said that the Holy Hermit happened to pass through these parts during his pilgrimage to the Holy Land and, blocked by a violent storm, he spent 3 whole days protected in the Grotto as a guest of local shepherds. Beyond the legend, we know for sure that the cave was used by the shepherds as a shelter, in fact the traces of the Gazzana, the closet dug into the rock and used by the shepherds, are still perfectly visible. To find out the other details of the history of San Cono, however, we advise you to consult the local inhabitants.
To admire the remains of the Tripi Castle (XNUMXth century building), just go up the hill a few kilometers from the town, while in the centre, in Via Francesco Todaro, you will find the Santi Furnari Archaeological Museum.
The History of Tripi of Messina
Tripi di Messina is located in the Sicilian hinterland, north of the Etna Park and about 70 km from Messina. Its ancient name was presumably Steropium, derived from the Greek mythology Sterope the blacksmith of Vulcan. The first news concerning the town dates back to the XNUMXth century, when the feud of Tripi became a reward that the lords of the place granted each other for centuries, up to the middle of the XNUMXth century, when, under the rule of the Prince of Patti, the town begins to establish itself as a producer of wine, oil and wheat, which are also exported beyond the borders. Subsequently, the country underwent a strong outward migration.
Useful tips and info before leaving for Tripi
If you wish to organize a holiday in Tripi di Messina, we advise you what to see in Tripi already before departure, but once on site, let yourself be inspired by the landscape and the circumstances, to discover unique panoramas and flavours, in short, to experience truly special moments.
Among the attractions of Tripi di Messina, you will also find the la Church of St. Vincent Deacon Martyr (Mother Church of the town) and the Church of the Holy Trinity, a sixteenth-century building with an incredibly modern appearance, the ruins of the Church of the Immacolata, the remains of the Church of San Giovanni. Finally, we recommend that you also visit the Necropolis of Contrada Portusa of Tripi, because it is a very ancient archaeological site, dating back to the Bronze Age.
Tripi of Messina at Table
After a visit to the Caves of San Cono or a walk through the historic center of the town, it is finally time to sit down at the table. In Tripila traditional cuisine is the one from Messina and we advise you to taste the traditional dishes: to start, fried olives, panelle and crocchè and focaccia, followed by baked pasta, Sicilian vermicelli or fish soup and then sweet and sour rabbit, maccu and Sicilian rolls, with aubergine caponata. The meal always ends with a Sicilian cannolo or a cassata. If along the way you will stop at one of the many local farms, you can also buy typical products to take home as preserves, sausages, focaccia and oil.
How to get to Tripi of Messina
Tripi di Messina can be easily reached both by car and by train.
If you prefer to travel by car, we advise you to arrive in the village via the A20 Messina-Buonfornello, from the exit for Falcone, which is only 8 km from the center; if you travel on the train, the Barcelona-Castroreale station is the closest, connected by buses and shuttles to the center, about 15 km away.
