Francavilla di Sicilia

Infobox CityIT
img_coa =FrancavilladiSicilia-Stemma.gif
img_coa_small=yes
official_name = Comune di Francavilla di Sicilia
name = Francavilla di Sicilia
region = Sicily
province = Messina (ME)
elevation_m = 330
area_total_km2 = 82
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 4060
population_density_km2 =50
timezone = CET, UTC+1
coordinates = coord|37|54|N|15|08|E
mapx =
mapy =
frazioni =
telephone = 0942
postalcode =98034
gentilic = Francavillesi
saint = Santa Barbara and Sant'Euplio di Catania
day = december 4 and last Sunday in August
mayor = Salvatore Nuciforo (since may 28, 2002)
website = [http://www.comune.francavilladisicilia.me.it/ www.comune.francavilladisicilia.me.it]

Francavilla di Sicilia is a town and commune in the Province of Messina on the island of Sicily, Italy.

It has a population of about 4,000 people and is situated in the southern part of the province, not far north of Mount Etna. The distance to Messina is about 50 km, and the town is about 70 km away from the Catania airport. It is located in the Valley of Alcantara between the well-known town of Taormina and the town of Randazzo. Taormina and the Mediterranean sea are about 15 km away. The neighboring towns and villages are: Antillo, Castiglione di Sicilia, Fondachelli-Fantina, Malvagna, Montalbano Elicona, Motta Camastra, Novara di Sicilia and Tripi.

History

On the town's territory objects from the 5th century BC have been found.

In 1092 the Abbey of San Salvatore di Placa was built, and the town grew around it.

On June 20, 1719 a major battle was fought between Spanish and Austrians in the War of the Quadruple Alliance , leaving 8000 dead and wounded.

Main sights

* Gole dell'Alcantara. It is a canyon on the river Alcantara, which found its way through the lava stones of Mount Etna over the centuries. The river flows on the town's territory. Shortly after leaving it, on the territory of Motta Camastra, but nearer to Francavilla's residential areas it reaches its most remarkable point: a canyon -partly cave-like - which is about 50 m deep and with characteristic lava stones.
* Chiesa dell'Annunziata in the centre of the town.
* "Convent of the Capuchins"', near the cemetery.
* Ruins of the medieval castle on the hill above the town.
* Archaeological excavations (ancient Greeks).

Traditional events

* Last Sunday of August: Celebration of Saint Euplio.
* December 4: Celebration of the town's patron saint, Saint Barbara.
* Good Friday procession (every 4 years)
* Nativity Play
* Carneval

External links

* [http://www.comune.francavilladisicilia.me.it/ Homepage of Francavilla di Sicilia (italian)]