Francavilla di Sicilia


Francavilla di Sicilia is a town and comune in the Metropolitan City of Messina on the island of Sicily, southern Italy.
It has a population of about 3,900 people and is situated in the southern part of the province, close to the northern slopes of Mount Etna. The distance to Messina is about, and the town is about from Catania airport, in the valley of the River Alcantara between Taormina and Randazzo. Taormina and the Mediterranean Sea are about to the southeast.
Neighboring towns and villages include: Antillo, Castiglione di Sicilia, Fondachelli-Fantina, Malvagna, Montalbano Elicona, Motta Camastra, Novara di Sicilia and Tripi.

History

In the vicinity of the town artefacts have been found dating back to the 5th century BC.
In 1092 the Abbey of San Salvatore di Placa was built, and the town grew around it.
On June 20, 1719 a major battle was fought between Spanish and Austrians in the War of the Quadruple Alliance, leaving 8000 dead and wounded.

Main sights