Messina - Day 12 Sunday February 8

We finally made it to Mamsen’s for breakfast. This small eatery honors the matriarch of the Hagen family, and serves Scandinavian treats. I enjoyed the classic waffle with brown cheese, while Charlie had some assorted pastries. A good sugar rush to be sure.

We were greeted at the harbor by this statue of the Virgin Mary, who has been the protector of Messina ever since its inhabitants became Christians in 42 AD. Those of you still persevering with this blog deserve the backstory...the quote that you see at the bottom of the column, “Vos et ipsam civitatem benedicimus” (I bestow my benediction upon you and your city) is said to be taken from a letter that was sent by the Virgin Mary to the people of Messina. Let’s just go with it....

We opted to take the included panoramic tour today because we have been in Messina before and recognize that this is Italy, and few things will be open on a Sunday.

We boarded the coach and set out on a short drive along the north coast of Messina, enjoying views of the Ganzirri Lakes and the Capo Peloro. These saltwater lakes are used by fishermen to breed clams and mussels, which feature heavily in the local cuisine. (Note the farm markers)

All along the shores are (empty) beach clubs and restaurants and pretty water views.

Here is a less than optimal bus-window pictures of the fountain of Neptune. We had planned to walk back to see it later in the day, but that did not happen.

We also passed City Hall...

...and the Theater of Messina.

Before beginning our walking tour of the Old Town, we visited a cafe, where we had granita, a cannoli, and a restroom stop.

Who can resist checking out the display cases?

This is the beautiful Church of the Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani. It was built during the 12th century by the Normans on the site of an ancient temple that had been dedicated to Neptune. Its architecture showcases a unique blend of Arab-Norman-Byzantine styles, reflecting Sicily’s diverse cultural influences over the centuries. The church is one of a few structures in Messina to survive the 1908 earthquake, which explains why it sits ten feet below the current street level.  The exterior is adorned with intricate stone carvings and arches that tell stories of Sicily’s past rulers.

Here is Don John of Austria who bravely defeated the Ottomans and is apparently a big deal here.

The city is known for its eclectic architecture.

Messina's most notable attraction is its Duomo and the Astronomical Clock in the Campanile. On the side, there is a zodiac clock, and an angel points to the time and date.

On the front, each day at noon, there is a 12-minute show.

It begins with the lion roaring three times. His tail moves as his mouth opens.

Then, the cock crows three times, accompanied by wing flaps.

This scene changes according to the liturgical season. Until Lent begins, the Magi are still visiting the stable.

This level looks like a pile of sand until a dove marks the parameters in which the Virgin Mary has requested that a church be built in her honor. Suddenly, the church rises from the sand. This second shot is the actual church that can be seen from the Duomo.

Finally, figures depicting the life span from infant to the aged circle around a skeleton. Time marches on, and this is your reminder to get yourself to church.

It was quite a show!

Our final tour stop was the Fontana d’Orione (Orion Fountain), constructed by Giovanni Montorsoli, a student of Michelangelo. The fountain commemorates the construction of Messina’s aqueduct, the first in Sicily to provide running water to its residents.

At this point, we chose to remain in Messina rather than return to the ship.

The Duomo of Messina was partially destroyed by an earthquake at the beginning of 20th century and then suffered from heavy bombing during WWII, but has been rebuilt.

It was the site of today's drama...perhaps the message is to stay out of churches? As Mass was in process, we crept in the back, and I was taking a quiet zoom lens photo, while Charlie stood in the back of the church. All of a sudden, a man with a dog on a leash went flying by Charlie, causing him to take a step back (but not up)...onto a raised marble step. All I heard was a crash and a big grunt. People came running to assist, and the fall initially took his breath away, which was very scary. Thank God he did not hit his head, but took the brunt on his back. A few men helped him up and we sat on folding chairs in the back of the church until we felt less rattled. Charlie did not want any medical assessment (IS ANYONE SURPRISED??), so we walked back to the ship and he rested with ice. I think it is time for us to go home!

At sail away, this pilot boat accompanied us as we navigated the Strait of Messina, which separates Sicily and Calabria. (FYI: Here, at Messina, the narrow strait is three miles wide, but it is less than two miles wide at its most narrow point...which is why we had the pilot for such a long stretch.)

Charlie felt up to getting dressed for our dinner reservation, a second visit to the Chef's Table, this time for the Xiang menu. Interestingly, the rice for the wok dish arrived inside a fragrant lotus leaf, and then we mixed it in with the beef and veggies. It was all delicious, but the absolute star of the menu was this AMAZING mango dessert. Sublime!

Photos are tagged Star and Messina_26