BROLO

Brolo is a town located in the Messina coastline, its houses nestling on a rocky slope with breath-taking views of the sea and the seven Aeolian Islands. It notably developed in the 17^th century when the Chiesa Madre was erected.

Farming, notably related to citrus fruits and vines, is Brolo’s oldest and still main economic resource. Especially in the past, it was also an important harbour area and stop for vessels sailing the Mediterranean Sea.

Grown as a feudal dominion part of the Lancia family holdings, it retains some precious examples of that old epoch, among which an ancient castle enclosed by defensive walls with two decorated gates that bear the coat-of-arms of noble Lancias and flanked by a rectangular tower graced with several fine windows. From here, a spiral staircase leads up to a cross-vaulted hall – that completes the structure – topped with a battlemented terrace. The castle boasts an eventful story. Some historians maintain that at one day here was a tower called Voab. The site is of also naturalistic interest, it rising on a rocky spur overlooking a vast land covered with olive and citrus groves.

The construction of the castle seems due to Swabian Frederick II. First ceded to the Lancias, who enriched and restored it, it successively passed to Michele Spadafora – Marquis of Roccella –, the Lancias again, Ignazio Vincenzo Abate – the Marquis of Lungarini –, the Mustos, down on to its current proprietor. Notably in the 17^th century, the tower of Brolo served as an important lookout guarding against attacks on the harbor which was much trafficated at that time.

Brolo Visitors can thus enjoy a range of cultural, historical and naturalistic riches, consisting of the mentioned castle, the historic centre, where is a Tunisian Kasbah and many palazzi and churches, and, finally, nature sites in the city environs.