Editing Messina (section)

===Religious architecture===
{{refimprove section|date=April 2013}}
[[File:Foto Duomo Messina september 09.jpg|thumb|Cathedral of Messina.]]
[[File:Messina Annunziata dei Catalani.jpg|thumb|[[Church of the Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani]].]]
[[File:Messina church of the Alemanni Messina cropped 17-5-21.jpg|thumb|13th century Church of Santa Maria degli Alemanni]]
[[File:Messina 3 Matagrifone Castle 27-2-2021.jpg|thumb|The extant octagonal tower of the 11th century Matagrifone Castle and the Cristo Re sanctuary]]

* The [[Messina Cathedral|cathedral]] (12th century), containing the remains of the king [[Conrad IV of Germany|Conrad]], ruler of [[Germany]] and Sicily in the 13th century. The building had to be almost entirely rebuilt in 1919–20, following the devastating [[1908 Messina earthquake|1908 earthquake]], and again in 1943, after a fire triggered by Allied bombings. The original [[Norman architecture|Norman]] structure can be recognised in the apsidal area. The façade has three late [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] portals, the central of which probably dates back to the early 15th century. The architrave is decorated with a sculpture of ''Christ Among the Evangelists'' and various representations of men, animals and plants. The [[tympanum (architecture)|tympanum]] dates back to 1468. The interior is organised in a nave and two equally long aisles divided by files of 28 columns. Some decorative elements belong the original building, although the mosaics in the [[apse]] are reconstructions. Tombs of illustrious men besides Conrad IV include those of Archbishops Palmer (died in 1195), Guidotto de Abbiate (14th century) and Antonio La Legname (16th century). Special interest is held by the Chapel of the Sacrament (late 16th century), with scenic decorations and 14th-century mosaics. The [[bell tower]] holds the [[Messina astronomical clock]], one of the largest astronomical clocks in the world, built-in 1933 by the Ungerer Company of [[Strasbourg]]. The belfry's mechanically animated statues, which illustrate events from the civil and religious history of the city every day at noon, are a popular tourist attraction.
* The Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Carmelo (near the Courthouse), built-in 1931, contains a 17th-century statue of the Virgin Mary. See also [[Chiesa del Carmine (Messina)|Chiesa del Carmine]].
* The Sanctuary of Montevergine, where the [[incorruptibility|incorrupt]] body of [[Saint]] [[Eustochia Smeralda Calafato]] is preserved.
* The [[Church of the Santissima Annunziata dei Catalani]] (late 12th–13th century). Dating from the late Norman period, it was transformed in the 13th century when the nave was shortened and the façade added. It has a cylindrical apse and a high dome emerging from a high [[tambour]]. Noteworthy is the external decoration of the [[transept]] and the dome area, with a series of blind arches separated by small columns, clearly reflecting Arabic architectural influences.
* The Church of Santa Maria degli Alemanni (early 13th century), which was formerly a chapel of the [[Teutonic Knights]]. It is a rare example of pure Gothic architecture in Sicily, as is witnessed by the arched windows and shapely [[buttress]]es.
[[File:Giganti di Messina (Mata e Grifone) - Messina (Sicily) - Italy - 15 Aug. 2009 - (3).jpg|thumb|The [[giant]]s Mata and Grifone, whose stories are told about the city, are brought around Messina during the second week of August]]
[[File:Madonna della Lettera - Messina - panoramio.jpg|thumb|The Madonna della Lettera that dominates the port of Messina is the Patron Saint of the city, celebrated on 3 June]]