Naso
Naso, the city on the Nebrodi Mountains
If you are looking for a small town where you can relax and immerse yourself in nature, Naso could be the perfect destination. This municipality is located in the province of Messina, in Sicily, and has just over 3,400 inhabitants. Naso is situated on a hill at 498 metres above sea level near the Nebrodi Mountains, which offer breathtaking views of the valley below. The city has a long history dating back to the 12th century BC and some valuable religious monuments. Let's discover the beauties of Naso together.
The history of Naso
According to tradition, Naso stands on the ruins of the ancient Agatirso, founded in 1218 BC by Agatirno, son of the king of winds Aeolus. However, the most accredited foundation dates back to the medieval period, when Naso came under the dominion of several lordships, including the Ventimiglia di Geraci. It was under the lordship of Carlo Ventimiglia that the barony of Naso was elevated to the rank of the County of Naso and was called "city". Naso is also famous for being the birthplace of Saint Cono Abate, patron saint of the town and San Cono (Italy) of Calatino, as well as of Francesco Lo Sardo, leader of the Sicilian Fasci and founder of the Italian Communist Party in Messina and the Province of Messina.
Monuments and places of interest
Naso boasts several churches of artistic and religious interest. The Mother Church of the Holy Apostles Philip and James was built in the seventeenth century in Baroque style and is divided into three naves. Inside there are valuable works such as the marble statue depicting the Assumption and the Angels by Vincenzo Gagini, the marble statue of Saint Catherine of Siena, an nineteenth-century marble group about the Annunciation and the Chapel of the Holy Rosary from the church of San Pietro dei Latini. The church of SS. Salvatore was built in the fourteenth century and is distinguished by its splendid baroque facade, the nasitano terracotta square and the two twin bell towers. Inside there are various works of art, including an eighteenth-century canvas depicting Saint Jerome in the desert and a fifteenth-century triptych with the Virgin and Child, Saint Joseph and Saint Gregory the Pope. Finally, the Temple of Saint Cono is a small sixteenth-century building that represents the sacred place par excellence for all the citizens of the city.
The territory of Naso
Naso is located near the Nebrodi Mountains, a mountain range that overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea. The territory of Naso is very extensive and extends to the sea, covering about two kilometres of coast. However, until 1925 the territory of Naso was even larger and also included Capo d'Orlando, which obtained autonomy that year. Naso is an ideal place for those who love contact with nature and the tranquillity of provincial life: here you can practice various activities such as hiking in the woods, mountain bike trails and tastings of typical local products.
If you are planning a visit to Sicily and want to discover a small hidden gem among the Nebrodi Mountains, Naso could be the right destination for you. This municipality of just over 3,400 inhabitants will give you breathtaking views of the valley below, some valuable churches, and an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity that will make you forget the stress of daily life. Have a nice trip!
