A Greek colony and later a Roman city, Milazzo is located on the gulf of the same name, several kilometres from Messina, and is the departure point for the Aeolian Islands. The residential centre extends along the base of a hill beneath the medieval castle, or “walled city”, that is a symbol of the city, standing on the southern side of Capo Milano above the ancient borgo. The original core of the city dates to 4,000 BCE: after significant restoration work completed in 2010, today it hosts cultural events, festivals and museums.
The ancient borgo of Milazzo dates to the 15th century and features the 18th century Palazzo del Governatore and a range of historical churches including the duomo antico, the ancient city cathedral opened in 1607, and the duomo nuovo, new cathedral built in the 1930s, both dedicated to St. Stephen.
There is a natural cave, the cave of Polyphemus, on the spur of the Rocca where the castle stands, identified by local tradition as the place where Polyphemus imprisoned Ulysses and his companions.
In the surroundings are numerous beaches including the Ponente beach which extends several kilometres west of Capo Milazzo and the pool of Venus, a natural pool between the rocks on the northern edge of the hill. On the most extreme end of the peninsula, the lanterna stands on a sheer point of the cliff 20m from the sea.
Sicilia Film Commission
Via Emanuele Notarbartolo 9 — 90141 Palermo
Phone: +39 091 7078008; +39 091 7078264; +39 091 7078133; +39 091 7078145
Email: filmcommission@regione.sicilia.it
