At the foot of the hill crowned by the Norman Castle stands the Archaeological Museum of Francavilla di Sicilia, located inside the historic Palazzo Cagnone, a 16th-century building in the heart of the old town.
The beautiful weather is back, and on this Sunday in May we enjoy a new adventure among nature, history, and the past in a small town in the province of Messina. We set off for Francavilla di Sicilia, a municipality located at 330 meters above sea level, in the magnificent setting of the Alcantara Valley, embraced by the San Paolo river and the Zavianni stream.
Francavilla di Sicilia is framed by the Peloritani Mountains and occupies a central position as a key transit point for nearby locations. It is said that it was called Francavilla from the French “franc-ville,” meaning “free town,” because for a long time it was exempt from taxes as it belonged to the monarchy. Others say the name is linked to a local legend involving a faithful maidservant who helped bring to life a somewhat unfortunate love story—that of the beautiful Angelina (if you are curious, read our article at the following link).
The climb to the Norman Castle
What awaits us is an event organized by the Municipality of Francavilla, during which we will visit the ruins of the Norman Castle and the Archaeological Museum of Francavilla – the M.A.FRA., recently inaugurated and housing artifacts from various eras.
We arrive in Francavilla di Sicilia and are welcomed by the Councillor for Tourism—and Deputy Mayor—Gianfranco d’Aprile, who greets us in front of the MA.FRA Museum, chatting with us and explaining how the day will unfold as well as future projects for potential collaboration.
After introductions, a few notes about our future projects, and some ideas for possible collaboration, we begin the ascent to the ruins of the Norman Castle. We start from the narrow streets of the town and then move into nature along a somewhat winding path, but always safe. We islanders, never discouraged, continue eagerly, looking forward to reaching the top!
The panorama over the Alcantara Valley
Along the trail, a breathtaking view opens up over the entire valley, with stretches of Mediterranean scrub interrupted by the dry riverbed, glimpses of the Alcantara River, and nearby villages that from here look like small nativity scenes. All this makes us forget vertigo, the humid heat, and the effort.
We reach the top, and one of us exclaims: “And how do I get up now? I have vertigo!” But when an experience is well organized and professional, everything is possible—or almost. At the final stretch to reach the castle summit, we are met by members of the mountain rescue team who help us climb using ropes and harnesses. The castle is currently in ruins, but these remains still have a unique charm due to their location and historical value; it would be a real shame to leave them there, silent and alone, waiting for greater enhancement.
And finally, we reach the top and the view is enchanting! It was truly worth coming all the way up and challenging our fears. As usual, we take some photos to capture the moment and begin our descent, able to say that this too has been a truly wonderful experience.
The M.A.FRA. Archaeological Museum
After returning from the castle excursion, we continue with a visit to the M.A.FRA. Archaeological Museum housed in the halls of the historic 16th-century Palazzo Cagnone, located within the medieval district. It is a place full of charm, featuring a small internal cloister, large doors with beautifully crafted wooden frames, vaulted ceilings with various decorative paintings, and original furnishings that transport us back in time.
The M.A.FRA. Museum is arranged in 5 rooms, one of which is immersive with animations and 3D reconstructions.
The first room is dedicated to the Siculi settlement, followed by a second room displaying artifacts from the Greek period of the city: remains of Greek tombs, tools, fragments of painted pottery, coins, statuettes with beautiful female faces, and delicate pínakes. A third room is entirely dedicated to the Sanctuary of the Goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone, goddess of vegetation, where terracotta tablets depict Persephone’s life from childhood to adulthood, including marriage and motherhood.
Finally, a 3D video narrating the history of Francavilla di Sicilia and its curiosities captivates us for a few minutes, transporting us into the Greek culture of the time. It is an experience that reconnects us with our origins, traditions, and customs passed down through the centuries to the present day.
End of the day
After the visit, we say goodbye to the councillor and everyone who contributed to organizing the day, with the promise and commitment to plan and promote new and interesting experiences in this rich territory. Since it is lunchtime, we decide to stop at a typical local restaurant, where we are welcomed by the friendliness of the owner, good food, and good wine, making our lunch truly pleasant and joyful.
Food is also very important to us, as it represents a fundamental part of the territory, with its unique characteristics and traditional products.
After this beautiful day of sunshine and discovery, it is time to head home.
We are ready to live a new experience … and you?
