| The
One Thing You Don't Want to Miss |
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| For a show unlike any you've seen before, check out
the world's largest astronomical clock, Orologio Astronomico, in the
Piazza del Duomo. It's set in a 197-foot bell tower and when the
clock strikes noon, it comes to life. As Ave Maria begins playing
from a loudspeaker, the bronze mechanical figures start to move. A
lion roars, a bird flaps its wings, and two historical heroines take
turns ringing the bell, all before it ends with a statue of Jesus
appearing from a tomb. |
| Other
Fun Things to Do |
|
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Take a walk through the Duomo, the town's main cathedral
in the Piazza del Duomo. Although most of it has been
refurbished in recent years, it has retained some of the
original Norman-style features from 1160, when it was built
by the Holy Roman emperor Henry VI. |
|
Make a wish in the Fontana di Orione in the center of the
piazza. The pre-baroque-style fountain was built to
commemorate Messina's aqueduct and symbolizes the four
rivers, Tiber, Nile, Ebore and Camaro. |
|
Spend some time in the Museo Regionale. Here you'll find
an amazing collection of art rescued from the 1908
earthquake, including pieces dating back to the 13th
century. |
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| Get
a Taste of Local Flavor |
|
| For a taste of traditional Sicilian
cuisine, look for eggplant caponata - a stew of tomatoes, eggplant,
capers and olives - typically served in restaurants as an antipasto.
Rice balls, or arancini di riso, are also very common and can be
found in many restaurants and at sidewalk stands. For dessert, try a
slice of Sicilian cassata cake, a square sponge cake covered with
ricotta cheese frosting, maraschino liqueur, candied fruit and nuts. |
| Local
Currency |
|
| The Euro (EUR), the currency of the
European Union, is the official currency of Italy. Many stores and
restaurants also accept major credit cards, which usually offer you
a good exchange rate. When shopping, remember there is a Value-Added
Tax added to most purchases. |
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