Fondachello
A welcoming place along the Tyrrhenian coast: Fondachello
Fondachello is a hamlet with 681 inhabitants and belongs to the municipality of Valdina, in Sicily. It is located along the Tyrrhenian coast and borders the towns of Torregrotta and Venetico Marina. It is the most populous settlement in the municipality and is home to numerous brick production plants.
The geography of Fondachello
The area of Fondachello is located along the Tyrrhenian coast, between Cape Peloro and the Milazzo peninsula, in the Gulf of Milazzo. It extends for about 250 meters and is located in a flat area.
To the east of the hamlet, the Macria (or Senia) stream flows, separating it from the municipality of Venetico, while to the west there is the Rio Caracciolo, which borders the municipality of Torregrotta. The coast of Fondachello has been eroded by storms and the beach, which is sandy and about 30 meters wide, is often prohibited for swimming due to the mouths of the two streams.
The origin of the name
Fondachello takes its name from the presence of a fondaco in the area. This term derives from the Arabic ''funduq'' and means "warehouse, inn, hotel" or "storage of goods". It is believed that in the past, this location hosted a gathering point for silk produced and processed in the Tyrrhenian area of the Peloritani Mountains.
Monuments and places of interest
Among the monuments of Fondachello stands out the parish church of San Giovanni Battista, built in the 20th century. There is also the homonymous chapel, located inside Villa Calcagno Lo Mondo, and the Calcagno Lo Mondo baronial villa, dating back to the 19th century.
Social and religious life
The only parish in Fondachello is that of San Giovanni Battista, administered by the Spadafora "San Giuseppe" vicariate of the Archdiocese of Messina-Lipari-Santa Lucia del Mela.
Culture and education
Fondachello has a kindergarten, primary and secondary school, which is part of the "Stefano d'Arrigo" comprehensive institute of Venetico.
Infrastructure and transport
The territory of Fondachello is crossed by the SS 113 Settentrionale Sicula and the SP 58 di Valdina. In 2015, the connecting bridge was inaugurated between the seafront promenade of Fondachello and that of Venetico, which continues along the coast of Spadafora.
Fondachello is a welcoming and tranquil place, where you can enjoy a beautiful beach and visit some interesting monuments. Social life is animated by the parish of San Giovanni Battista and the school provides education to the children of the area. Furthermore, thanks to the presence of important roads, it is easy to move around and reach other settlements in the area.
