 | You can helpexpand this article with text translated fromthe corresponding article in Italian. (January 2022)Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|
Santa Lucia del Mela | |
|---|---|
| Comune di Santa Lucia del Mela | |
.jpg) | |
 Coat of arms | |
  Santa Lucia del Mela Location of Santa Lucia del Mela in Italy Show map of Italy Santa Lucia del Mela Santa Lucia del Mela (Sicily) Show map of Sicily | |
| Coordinates:38°9′N15°17′E / 38.150°N 15.283°E /38.150; 15.283 | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Sicily |
| Metropolitan city | Messina (ME) |
| Frazioni | Femminamorta, San Giovanni (Pancaldo) |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Matteo Sciotto |
| Area | |
• Total | 82.9 km2 (32.0 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 215 m (705 ft) |
| Population | |
• Total | 4,755 |
| • Density | 57.4/km2 (149/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Luciesi |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 98046 |
| Dialing code | 090 |
| Website | Official website |
Santa Lucia del Mela (Sicilian:Santa Lucìa dû Mela) is acomune (municipality) in theMetropolitan City of Messina in theItalian regionSicily, located about 170 kilometres (110 mi) east ofPalermo and about 25 kilometres (16 mi) west ofMessina. It is one of the largest comunes in the province of Messina.
Santa Lucia del Mela borders the following municipalities:Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto,Casalvecchio Siculo,Castroreale,Fiumedinisi,Furci Siculo,Gualtieri Sicaminò,Mandanici,Merì,Pace del Mela,Pagliara,San Filippo del Mela,San Pier Niceto.
The territory of the municipality of Santa Lucia del Mela, one of the largest in the province (less than 83 km ²), has a rich variety of landscapes. From the highest peaks ofPeloritani, it offers the vision of theTyrrhenian andIonian seas. The wild and unspoilt have a rich variety of flora, ancientoaks, native forests. Climbing up the Mela river and its clear water perennial, you get to the giant prehistoric fern, that grows by at least 60 million years. The fauna is very diverse: there aredormice, blackbirds,crows,hawks,porcupines,wild cats,hedgehogs,martens,hares. In places: Postoleone (1020 m) where work is underway for years in forests, is found a welcoming refuge for forest and a picturesque lake, a destination for hikers and campers, with permission, many also from the ion rush. Interesting mountain trails on foot or horseback to the source of Mela river or Timogna Rocca (1180 m) can be organized using the guide prepared by Nicola Friend knowledge of the mountain territory. The town is just 7 kilometres (4 mi) from the motorwayMilazzo. It is only 35 kilometres (22 mi) from Messina, and just 12 kilometres (7 mi) from Milazzo and Barcelona P.G.
The origins of this town, the ancient Mankarru, are unknown. Greek ruins (on the left bank of the river Floripotamo remains of the temple ofDiana Facellina were found) and 2nd century BC Roman tombs attest the presence of Greek-Roman settlements. At its peak, Mankarru or Mankarruna, thanks to its strategic position, was an important military outpost. On the remains of the former city walls theByzantines built a fort, subsequently rebuilt by the Arabs between 837 and 851. On the slope of the hill, the latter also built a mosque. This was converted subsequently to the church of Saint Nicholas.
After his conquest of Sicily, the NormanCount Roger I, to fulfill a vow, built a church (1094) adjacent to the castle and dedicated toSaint Lucy, to whom he was devoted. Since that date the archaic name of Mankarru was changed under Christian rule to Santa Lucia. InThe Gallery of Maps in the Vatican, FatherIgnatius Daddi in 1529 called this citySanta Locia. With the establishment of aPrelature Nullius in Santa Lucia del Mela byFrederick II of Hohenstaufen, who chose the site as a place of recreation and rest, the temple was designated (1206) as theSanta Lucia del Mela cathedral. Since then, 67 prelates have overseen the diocese, adding further churches and decoration. In addition, the Prelate of Santa Lucia was awarded the honor of serving as Major chaplain of the kingdom and the town was entitled to 11 seats in Parliament.
Frederick II of Aragon fortified the town with walls and renovated its castle. He emitted a proclamation calling on the population of the plain, which was subject to recurrent raids by pirates, to resettle inside the town walls. In addition, a colony fromLombardy settled in the town. The town once sheltered a majorGiudecca, a large Jewish community, in the current area of Candlemas; however, in 1492, Jews in Sicily, then underAragonese rule were subject toExpulsion. The town had an active silk industry and silver mines. The city, as the state, boasted many noble families.
| History of Messina | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monuments and places | |||||||||||||||
| Personalities |
| ||||||||||||||
| Parks & nature reserves | |||||||||||||||
| Sport events | |||||||||||||||
| Transportation & infrastructure | |||||||||||||||
