Castello di Sant'Alessio Siculo

Castello di Sant'Alessio Siculo is a fortified castle perched on a rocky cape between Messina and Taormina overlooking the Ionian Sea. The structure comprises two distinct towers positioned on separate peaks of the promontory, facing the open water.

The Romans established the first fortification on this site as they controlled Sicily's trade routes and coastlines. Later, it became strategically important when Sextus Pompeius based his naval operations here during his maritime campaigns across the Sicilian waters.

The fortress carries a name rooted in the Byzantine period, honoring a Greek Orthodox saint whose legacy reflects the diverse religious history woven through Sicily. Walking around the site today, you can sense how different faiths have shaped this corner of the island.

The fortress remains under private ownership, so interior access is not permitted to visitors. However, you can view the structure from the water or nearby vantage points that offer clear sightlines to the towers and their position on the cape.

The site contains underground passages that served military purposes during World War II, though these tunnels are no longer open to visitors today. These hidden corridors reveal how the location played a strategic role during wartime operations.