Type: Antiquity, Art, Culture, Pilgrimage, Scenic Drive, Walking
Length: 9 Hours (traffic pending)
Walking: Difficult
Mobility: Folding wheelchair OK, some sites may be inaccessible (advance notice required)
Guide: Licensed Guide
Language: English

Messina Shore Excursion - This tour allows you to see the major sites in the beautiful city of Messina, followed by a visit to the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna located at the ancient Greek settlement in Tindari.

After meeting your guide, you drive into Messina's beautiful city center. You start with a short orientation drive through Messina's main street, the Via Garibaldi. You will see the Vittorio Emanuele Theater, the Town Hall, the church of Catalani, the Court and the University. Plus you enjoy a panoramic drive to the Church of Cristo Re where you will stop to enjoy the breathtaking view of Messina and its Straits.

Next you enjoy a walking tour which highlights the Norman Cathedral. The church was originally built in Norman times, but not dedicated to the Virgin Mary until 1197. None of the Norman construction remains today except the general layout and the overall exterior appearance which, after the 1908 earthquake, the architect Valenti reconstructed based on ancient documents. Other highlights include the world's largest Astronomical clock, with its 33,000 gears, the bell tower and the Orion Fountain.

Later this morning you visit the Messina Regional Museum which has preserved precious artistic productions from the city. Its collections include both civic and religious works including many pieces which were saved from buildings destroyed by the catastrophic earthquake in 1908. The exhibits are arranged in chronological order from the 12th to the 18th centuries. You'll see important architectural fragments, mosaics, sculpture and examples of decorative arts.

After your tour of Messina you have a short lunch break (meal not included).

This afternoon you travel along the northern coast of Sicily to Tindari, which is located on a panoramic point facing the Tyrrhenian sea. Tindari was a Greek settlement of nearly 5,000 people and dates back to 396 BC. Today all that remains of the Greek settlement are ruins. You will be impressed by the ancient city walls and the Theater which dates back to the 3rd century BC.

In the 19th century a church was built on the highest point of the hill, about 650 feet above the sea level. The famous Sanctuary of the Black Madonna has since become a popular pilgrimage stop for many people.

Local legend says that the lagoon below was created after a pilgrim who came to see the Madonna refused to pray to the Madonna because she was black. The woman accidentally dropped her baby into the ocean and the Madonna made the land rise to save the baby. The sands of Marinello have taken shape of the profile of the Madonna.

After visiting Tindari you return to Messina.