Antillo
Welcome to Antillo, a historic town in Valle d'Agrò!
Welcome to the beautiful town of Antillo! We are a small community of 824 inhabitants located in the metropolitan city of Messina, in Sicily. We are located at an altitude of 480 meters in the heart of the Valle d'Agrò, surrounded by the beauty of the Peloritani mountains and nature. The economy of the municipality revolves mainly around agriculture and pastoralism, which are fundamental activities for our community. We are also part of the Union of Municipalities of the Jonic Valleys of Peloritani.
The history of Antillo: from prehistory to the present
Antillo has ancient roots and its history is very interesting. The origins of the name of the city are debated, but it is said that Antillo derives from Ancient Greek and means "first flower". Others argue that the name derives from Latin "ante illos" which means "before the others". Antillo was inhabited in prehistoric times by Sicilian shepherds and breeders and subsequently frequented by Phoenicians and Siceliots. The inhabitants of Phoinix headed inland in search of a safer site to live in during the barbarian invasion. Hidden among the Peloritani mountains, they also searched for a city to call home and called their new settlement "Peniz" or "Piniz", from which the toponym of "Pinazzo" derives. In 1139, Antillo was included in the vast territory of the "Terra di Savoca", but only in 1820 did it manage to contend for its autonomy. Thanks to the work of two illustrious Antillean, Bernardo Bongiorno and the priest Santi Lo Giudice, Antillo definitively emancipated itself from Savoca and became an autonomous municipality in 1845.
Things to do in Antillo
If you visit Antillo, don't miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the surrounding nature. The view from the Peloritani mountains is very suggestive and you can hike, ride a horse or bike. The Church of the Holy Virgin of Antillo, which was elevated to Archpriesthood in 1820, is an icon of the municipality and is worth a visit. The Writers' Road will take you on a journey of discovery of the places loved by famous writers such as Francis Ford Coppola, who filmed "The Godfather" right here. In addition, you cannot miss the local cuisine with delicacies such as mushroom macaroni.
Here's how to get to Antillo
If you are thinking of visiting Antillo, there are several options to reach us. If you are coming from Catania airport, you can take the A18 motorway and exit at Roccalumera. From here, follow the signs for Savoca and then Antillo. From Messina, you can reach Antillo by car following the A18 motorway and the exit for Roccalumera. Alternatively, you can take the train to Taormina-Giardini station and from here take a direct bus to Antillo.
Conclusions
Antillo is a pearl of Valle d'Agrò that you should not miss. With its fascinating history, surrounding nature, the Church of the Holy Virgin of Antillo, and local cuisine, there is something for everyone. Come and visit us and discover the charm of this Sicilian municipality.
