San Marco d'Alunzio
Welcome to San Marco d'Alunzio, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy!
If you are passionate about traveling to discover the beauties of Italy, you cannot miss a visit to San Marco d'Alunzio, a municipality located in the metropolitan city of Messina in Sicily. With its 1798 inhabitants, it is part of the circuit of the most beautiful villages in Italy and is located in the heart of the Nebrodi Park.
Discover the physical geography of San Marco d'Alunzio
The municipality of San Marco d'Alunzio is located on the top of Mount Castro at 540 meters above sea level and is 87 km from Messina west and 135 km from Palermo east. On the sides of the valleys of the Rosmarino and Platanà streams, with the Nebrodi mountain range behind it, the panoramic view from San Marco is simply breathtaking.
The history of San Marco d'Alunzio
The foundation of San Marco dates back to the 4th century BC when it was a flourishing center called Alonzio. During the Punic Wars, it was conquered by Rome which proclaimed it an autonomous "municipium" and renamed it "Haluntium". During this period, San Marco experienced an artistic and economic development that is reflected in the numerous archaeological monuments and epigraphic literature of the time.
With the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 6th century AD, a community of Byzantine refugees from Sparta arrived in "Haluntium", calling it "Demenna", and then the Arabs who surrounded it with walls and made it the political administrative center of a vast area of Sicily called Val Demone.
After the Norman conquest, San Marco d'Alunzio became their center of government and was named after the evangelist and in memory of the first city conquered in Calabria. In 1061, Robert Guiscard founded the first Norman castle in Sicily, dedicating it to San Marco, thus erasing the memory of Demenna. In 1150, the geographer Ibn Idris described it as a "prosperous locality, with a flourishing production of silk and with an arsenal on the coast for the construction of ships with wood from the rich hinterland forests."
Events and traditions of San Marco d'Alunzio
San Marco d'Alunzio is a city rich in events and traditions. One of the main events is the feast of San Marco Evangelista, on April 25, which attracts visitors with religious festivals, shows, musical bands, and of course, local culinary tradition dishes.
Another famous event is "Pasqua in San Marco", a traditional Easter celebration that involves the whole city with a sacred procession that crosses the entire country.
What to see in San Marco d'Alunzio
Those who decide to come to San Marco will not be disappointed by the beauties of the city. San Marco is an open-air museum in which history and art blend into a unique experience. Some of the main attractions of San Marco include:
- Church of San Marco Evangelista
- Mother Church of Santa Maria Assunta
- Ethno-anthropological Museum of San Marco d'Alunzio
- Monumental Complex of San Marco d'Alunzio
Food and wine routes in San Marco d'Alunzio
San Marco d'Alunzio is also renowned for its traditional cuisine. You can find traditional dishes such as "pasta cu l'agghia", "reca", "agghia'i sorta" and "pasta ccu l'ovu a menzaturi." You can also taste delicious local products such as cheese and salami, fresh from the Sicilian countryside.
Conclusion
In conclusion, San Marco d'Alunzio is a hidden gem of Sicily. Its history and beauty make it a place not to be missed, and its traditional cuisine will make your visit even more enjoyable. So, if you are planning a trip to Sicily, do not miss San Marco d'Alunzio, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
