Milazzo, Coastal city with Norman castle in Sicily, Italy.
Milazzo stretches along the northeastern coast of Sicily with a narrow promontory reaching into the Tyrrhenian Sea, forming natural bays on both sides. The settlement sits between the harbor at the base of the promontory and the fortress that rises on a hill above the town.
Greek settlers founded this place as Mylae in the 7th century BC, and it hosted the first Roman naval battle against Carthage in 260 BC. During the Middle Ages, control shifted between Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, and Spanish rulers, with each leaving traces in the architecture.
Local residents call the old town core "Borgo," a dense network of narrow streets where daily shopping and morning coffee still follow traditional rhythms. Families gather in the evening along the marina promenade, where fishing boats return with their catch and vendors set up stalls near the docks.
The harbor sits centrally and is within walking distance from the town center, while the fortress requires a steep uphill walk. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as many areas feature cobblestones and steps.
A rock church called Sant'Antonio di Padova is carved directly into the cliffs of the cape, commemorating a shipwreck from 1221. On calm days, you can see the water directly below through the church windows.
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