Capo d’Orlando

Capo d’Orlando is a beautiful seaside town that is part of the territory of Messina. It has over 12,000 inhabitants and stretches along the Tyrrhenian Sea coastline.

History

It is said that Capo d’Orlando arose as a fief of the city of Naso and that its present name was given to it by Charlemagne in person to honour the paladin Orlando (yes, the one from Orlando Furioso).

The autonomous municipality came into being in 1925 and from that moment on, the town became famous for its tourist vocation, with its beautiful beaches, its peculiar rocks (such as those of Testa di Monaco) and the accommodation facilities that have made a difference in the area.

Monuments

A visit to this town means not only enjoying the sea and the breathtaking landscapes, but also the monuments scattered throughout its territory.

Let us begin with the remains of a Roman Villa in Contrada Bagnoli, Villa di Vina, which was home to the Lords of Calanovella, Sicilian aristocrats well known at the time, who were also related to Tomasi di Lampedusa.

The Bastione Castle, which served to protect the plantations from the Moors, is now a multi-purpose centre where exhibitions and plays are hosted.

Villa Piccolo, built on the hills, is also used today for cultural purposes: we are talking about a Museum, Library and Cultural Centre, all in the same building.

“Agatirnide“, the Municipal Antiquarium, is a mini-museum located under the Municipal Library where artefacts from the Bronze Age are displayed.

The Roman Baths found in 1987 during excavations in Contrada Bagnoli, thought to be part of a Roman villa from the 3rd-4th century AD.

The recently renovated Maria Santissima e Belvedere Sanctuary consists of an ancient church dating back to the 17th century and the ruins of a castle. The statue of the Madonna displayed in the main chapel is a copy of the original, which was stolen over a hundred years ago.

The lighthouse, dating back to the early 20th century, is one of the best preserved in Italy, and has a pink square plan, next to another building (also square) with a single yellow level.

The Scafa Park, the Marina and the Sentiero Goletta do not represent actual monuments, but are natural corners of impressive beauty where we recommend you organise your time with walks, bike rides or boat rides.