Mazzarrà Sant'Andrea
Mazzarrà Sant'Andrea: A Journey in a Sicilian Hillside Area
Mazzarrà Sant'Andrea is a small municipality located in a hilly area of the metropolitan city of Messina in Sicily. With its just under 4,000 inhabitants, this village immersed in nature is a perfect place for those seeking some peace and quiet, away from the stress of the city.
History and Legends in the Foundation of Mazzarrà
The history of Mazzarrà Sant'Andrea has ancient roots, dating back to the Saracen domination of 827-1061. According to an ancient legend, a Muslim emir named Mazarak founded Mazzarrà because he was fascinated by the fertility of the land and the beauty of the place. He settled in a large farm, built by his faithful servants almost at the confluence of the Cartolano (Brandino) and Macheo or degli Aranci (Mazzarrà) streams, where an advanced outpost of the fortresses of Tripi, Novara di Sicilia, and Montalbano Elicona had been built.
Today, the origin of the name Mazzarrà has many versions, but the most realistic refers to the fact that in Arabic, villages for the management of agricultural lands were called Manzil or Rahàl. As so many farms arose in this place of the Castellaccio, the hamlet was always called Manzil and Rahàl, the name that then became Mazzarak (combining the two words) and then in the local dialect, Mazzarrà.
During the Norman domination (1090-1250), the Basilian friars were granted the fiefdom around Castellaccio and added the name of their patron saint, Sant'Andrea, to "Mazzarrà". The town thus changed its name to "Mazzarrà Sant'Andrea," which today serves to differentiate it from Mazara del Vallo.
The History of the Fiefdom and its Owners
The fiefdom that came to form at that point, then owned by the Basilian friars starting in 1163, passed after 1400 to a certain Giovanni Giardina, of the Spadafora princes. To whom is due the relocation of the residential settlements to the area corresponding to the current habitat, one kilometer from the old Castellaccio. The urban center became an autonomous Municipality after the abolition of the fiefdom in 1812, while still retaining as its coat of arms that of the ancient founders, the princes of Spadafora, a coat of arms that represents an arm wielding a sword.
Visiting Mazzarrà Sant'Andrea
Mazzarrà Sant'Andrea is an ideal town for those seeking tranquility and wanting a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is about 20 km from the sea and can be easily reached by car. Once there, you cannot miss visiting the sports field, where you can still see the ruins of the sumptuous residence and castle of the Muslim emir Mazarak.
In the center of Mazzarrà Sant'Andrea, the church of Sant'Andrea is a place to visit to admire the frescoes of the Basilian friars. History enthusiasts, on the other hand, can appreciate the beauty of Castellaccio and the Museum of Traditions and Popular Events of Mazzarrà Sant'Andrea, right in the center of the town.
Excursions are also not to be missed: a few kilometers from the town center, you can admire natural wonders such as the Macheo stream, which has created a deep gorge with rock walls overlooking the stream, where even sulfur springs can be found. You can also take walks in the woods, discovering the beauty of the area.
The Gastronomy of Mazzarrà Sant'Andrea
Sicily is famous for its excellent cuisine, and Mazzarrà Sant'Andrea is no exception. Among the typical dishes of the Sicilian municipality are "maccheroni alla chitarra," "homemade pasta," and "pisci spada" (swordfish). There is also the unmissable pane cunzato, seasoned with tomato, oil, oregano, and pecorino cheese.
Spending time in Mazzarrà Sant'Andrea allows you to discover the historical and natural beauty of Sicily. In this small municipality, you can breathe the true essence of this region, with legends, traditions, and a gastronomy of the highest level, perfect for enriching the palate.
