ITALA

Itala is a town of about 1,900 inhabitants in the province of Messina. It stands at an altitude of 210m, on the slopes of the Scuderi Mount, in proximity to the Itala river. Grown between the 16^th and 17^th centuries, it accomodates several engaging religious buildings. The Chiesa Madre, dedicated to the Madonna del Piliere was built in the 16^th century. A 1600’s holy water font and a 1300’s painted Crucifix, inside, are worthy of note.

The Chiesa di San Pietro dates from the 11^th century and is believed to have been built by Count Roger on the site where Normans had defeated the Arabian armies. It is laid out on a basilical plan with three naves. The crossing is marked with a dome rising from a square drum. A 1500’s painted Crucifix and a panel depicting the Enthroned Madonna and Child and two female Saints are especially worth-seeing.

The 1500’s Chiesa della Madonna della Catena completes the tour of the town.