Pace del Mela
Welcome to Pace del Mela!
Hello everyone! Today I will talk about Pace del Mela, a small town in the metropolitan city of Messina, Sicily. This charming town has just under 6000 inhabitants and is divided into various districts and localities, including the largest one, Giammoro, which is the commercial center of the town. Let's discover more about this picturesque Sicilian area!
Physical Geography of Pace del Mela
Pace del Mela is located about 35 km from Messina and is surrounded by beautiful mountains. Among the various districts and localities, we can mention Gabbia, which overlooks the sea, Camastrà, Catenella, Torrecampagna, Malapezza, and Mandravecchia. However, the majority of the population is divided between Pace del Mela and Giammoro.
The History of Pace del Mela
Pace del Mela has an interesting and diverse past. It is said that in prehistoric times, it was inhabited by elephants, as evidenced by skeletal remains found during building and agricultural excavations. But the most important historical moment is probably the Battle of Nauloco, which took place in the Giammoro Swamp, where the ancient Nauloco, a vast naval basin, was located. The battle took place in 36 BC between the fleets of Augustus and Sextus Pompeius.
Places of Interest in Pace del Mela
Oldest Architecture
Pace del Mela has numerous ancient buildings, including the old baronial palace of the Gordone in Camastrà, now in ruins, and the small church of Madonna dell'Abbondanza, which dates back to 1720 and is still a place of worship today. In the territory of Pace, there were also three small churches, unfortunately now disappeared: the Church of San Pietro di Drisino, that of Santa Maria, and that of San Nicola.
Buildings from the Benedictine era
The long presence of the Benedictines in Pace has left various testimonies, including the Mother Church of Santa Maria della Visitazione, dating back to 1763. Inside the church and sacristy, there are many canvases by unknown authors of the second half of the eighteenth century. Among the Benedictine buildings, there is also the Crimi-Pugliatti Palace, which today belongs to the homonymous family but in the past housed the Cassinese convent. A very particular fountain is that of the Cavalluccio Marino, a work by Giovan Battista Vaccarini, a very important artist from Messina. In addition, the Ilacqua-Caprì Palace was the site of a bloody event in 1868: the then head of the municipal delegation, Dr. Antonio Giacomo Ro alla Gattarella, was killed following a feud with the Musmeci family. The façade of this palace is very scenic and worth admiring.
Conclusions
Despite being a small town, Pace del Mela has several beauties to offer. From a historical point of view, the Benedictine testimonies and the Battle of Nauloco are breathtaking, while from a landscape perspective, the surrounding mountains are a spectacle to behold. If you're looking for a quiet place to relax and enjoy the beauty of Sicily, Pace del Mela is the perfect choice. Come visit us!
