Villa San Giovanni
Welcome to Villa San Giovanni, the city of the Strait of Messina
Hi everyone! Today I'll talk to you about Villa San Giovanni, a town in the metropolitan city of Reggio Calabria, in Calabria, overlooking the Strait of Messina.
The geographical position of Villa San Giovanni
Villa San Giovanni is a city that mostly extends along a flat strip that runs along the Strait, changing towards the east and northeast into low hills that reach modest heights. Its position is particularly important because its port is the main terminal for the ferry that connects Calabria to Sicily. In fact, Punta Pezzo, located in the municipality of Villa San Giovanni, represents the point of closest proximity between the Calabrian and Sicilian shores.
The history of Villa San Giovanni
Villa San Giovanni has an ancient history dating back to the Magna Graecia era. The area where the town now stands was known as Cenidéo. Here, there was the "Trajectum Siciliæ," that is, the passage to Sicily, where the Strait was crossed to reach the island.
Over the centuries, Villa San Giovanni has undergone several destructions and reconstructions, due to the wars that have affected the area. In particular, the settlement of Cenidéo was destroyed during the Second Punic War, around 214 BC, by the Carthaginian general Annon II the Great.
However, over time, the place was always guarded because it represented a strategic point from an economic and military point of view.
Nowadays
Today, Villa San Giovanni is a city that mainly lives on tourism, thanks to its privileged position. Its port is the main hub for ferries connecting Calabria to Sicily. Many tourists decide to spend a few days in Villa San Giovanni before embarking on the island.
But Villa San Giovanni is not just a pass-through point. The city has a historic center characterized by a series of beautiful buildings, churches, and monuments. Among the places of interest are the church of San Giovanni Battista and the Aragonese castle, located on the hill of San Trifone, which offers a breathtaking view of the Strait.
Moreover, Villa San Giovanni is famous for its gastronomy, which offers typical dishes of Calabrian cuisine, such as nduja, a spicy pork-based smoked sausage. The cuisine of Villa San Giovanni is also influenced by Sicilian cuisine, such as the typical arancino.
Conclusions
In short, Villa San Giovanni is a city that represents a true crossroads between Calabria and Sicily. Its position makes it a highly popular tourist destination, but the city also has a lot to offer from a historical-cultural and gastronomic point of view. If you decide to pass by these parts, don't miss a visit to Villa San Giovanni!
