Librizzi
Welcome to Librizzi
Located in the metropolitan city of Messina region in Sicily, Librizzi is a municipality of 1571 inhabitants that is part of the Tindari-Nebrodi Inter-municipal Consortium. The city, which offers visitors a spectacular view of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Aeolian Islands to the north, is a place of great historical and cultural interest. In this text, we will take a tour through the beauties of Librizzi.
Physical geography
The historic center of Librizzi sits on a hill 501 meters above sea level, bordered by the Timeto and Librizzi streams below. The city is about 60 km from Messina and 170 km from Palermo. The territories of the municipalities of San Piero Patti, Montalbano Elicona, Patti, and Librizzi meet at a point called Quattrofinaiti.
History
The exact date of the founding of the city of Librizzi is not known, but it is known to have been founded in the Middle Ages on a pre-existing Roman citadel. Throughout its history, the city has been ruled by many local lords, such as the De Luna, Cortiglia, and Branciforte families. In 1589, the city came under the control of the Jesuits, and their influence can still be seen in the city today.
Monuments and places of interest
The city of Librizzi is rich in architectural and artistic treasures that attest to the wealth and prosperity of the ancient city.
Religious architecture
Among the religious churches of the city, the Church of San Michele Arcangelo is the most important. The temple houses a wooden statue of San Michele Arcangelo sculpted by a Neapolitan master in 1656. The Church of La Catena, on the other hand, holds the marble statue of Madonna della Catena, dating back to 1540 and attributed to the famous sculptor Antonino Gaggini. Finally, the Church of San Paolo, located in Murmari, houses modern art works by Prof. Franco Nocera, including a wooden crucifix, a large oil triptych, and stained glass windows.
Civil architecture
The surrounding countryside offers evidence of the city's farming tradition, such as stone-carved palmenti and water mills, the ruins of which are still visible.
Society
Demographic evolution
The municipality of Librizzi has had a slight decrease in population in recent years, going from 2013 inhabitants in 2011 to 1571 in 2021.
Culture
Religious and popular festivals
The main religious festival in Librizzi is dedicated to Madonna della Catena, celebrated with a procession on the first Sunday after August 15.
Media
In the past years, there was a radio and television broadcaster called Canale Alpha in Librizzi.
Administration
The municipality of Librizzi is part of agricultural region no. 8 (Coastal hills of Patti) and the Tindari-Nebrodi Inter-municipal Consortium.
Notes
Bibliography
Laura Costantino published a book in 2015 entitled "Librizzi. Fragments of visual poetry," edited by Pungitopo Editrice di Gioiosa Marea, which tells the story of this fascinating city.
Other projects
There are various websites that offer tourist information about Librizzi, including the websites of the Municipality of Librizzi and the Pro Loco Association of Librizzi. In addition, many local travel agencies organize customized tours and excursions of the city, providing an opportunity to discover its beauties.
