Origins:
The town is supposed to have
been created by the inhabitants
of the ancient Medma of the
Magna-Grecia, when they were
attacked by the Saracenes and
had to construct a stronger
town, later fortified by Robert
Guiscard.
The town name dates back to the
first centuries after Christ. It
has belonged to the family of
Ruffo, who built its castle, the Marzanos and the Di
Gennaros .
Its fortifications were rebuilt
by Roger of Lauria. Of
particular archeological
interest is the area that
stretches from the port until
the river mouth of Mesima.
Characteristics:
Situated at a height of 210
meters above the sea, the town
of Nicotera consists in a number
of windling streets, alleys and
steep curves. There are whole
blocks left from the old town,
bearing the names of
"Baglio" and "Giudecca".
From the Marina of Nicotera or
the railway station (Nicotera
Scalo) it is possible to admire
the line of water mills that
runs parallel with a torrent.
Worth a
visit in Nicotera:
Nicotera is culturally
and architectonically the most
outstanding town center of the
entire coastline.
There are two museums, which
have been organized with
enhtusiasm and skill. The first
is the diocesan museum of
religious art and the other one
is the archeological museum that
embraces the whole greek-roman
era.
Another interesting visit would
be a walk around the old Jewish getto, la Giudecca, that
was created during the era of
Federic II.
Admire the numerous facades, the
palaces and the stone fountains.
The Cathedral from the XIth
century, the XVIIIth
century castle and the
statue of the Madonna della Scala,
situated on a point from where
you can see the panorama of the
whole coast - called Costa
Viola.
Some of the numerous water mills
are open for visits.
The old Bishops Palace,
the ruins of "Porta Prisa"
and "Palmentieri"
are preserved and well worth a visit.
Find the "affacciu",
where your panorama stretches
from the Messina strait with
Etna in the horizon until the
Punta Faro and the
Aeolian Islands.
The Marina of Nicotera
offers you wide beaches with
fine golden sand and has
everything from tourist villages
to beach lidos.
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