Giardini Naxos - Sicily | Bewitching Ionian Paradise

Giardini Naxos is a magnificent destination in Eastern Sicily, a place eternally characterised by unmistakable, warm sunbeams a predominant highlight on a luminous Ionian coast existing to transmit every visitor inspirations and delightful sensations.

Situated in a pretty wide bay of the province of Messina along a ?striking eastern Sicilian coastline Immediately when you are visiting that centre it is enough to take a look? from its Lungomare.

This enchanting maritime promenade is called Lungomare Schisò where you can admire the magic and inspiring silhouette of Capo Schisò, a picturesque promontory created as a sublime natural guard overlooking the entire, local territory.

Considered for historic events and proximity as a sort of "little sister"of the famed Taormina, Giardini Naxos despite the great popularity of that nearest, acclaimed and venerated twin it was always able to? show its captivating appeal with pride conquering everyone in a while.

With its about 10,000 inhabitants for history and past, Giardini Naxos was for importance the second Greek Colony.

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Giardini Naxos was founded by Hellenic settlers former inhabitants of the famous Chalkis in 734 BC during the times of Megale Hellas iconic cradle of an extraordinary culture.

?That ancient population left the motherland and its island Euboea led by Teocles who once landed in Sicily decided to elevate on the local coastal stretch of the current town an altar in honour of the God Apollo Archegetes.

Later those colonists were reached by other compatriots coming from the island of Naxos who developed their first settlement with the same name of their former birthplace ; Naxos from which derives the current denomination of that Sicilian jewel while the denomination Giardini was adopted for the presence of several Citrus gardens and the word Giardini translated means gardens.

To discover Giardini Naxos you can start from the town hall which lies behind its long beach with four main avenues marking its core such as Via Umberto and Via Regina Margherita connect the municipal heart to the northern exit of the resort in direction Taormina.

Via Vittorio Emanuele is the main artery running towards south in an area in which are situated the major part of the Hotels and that relevant road meets further south Via Consolare Valeria in correspondence of the National Road SS 114 leading to Catania.

As indication for your orientation in proximity of Via Nazionale turning on the left you can reach very easily the local harbour and Capo Schisò, a panoramic, scenic headland symbol of a coastal stretch absolutely superb.

You can start the visit of Giardini Naxos from its most important Religious site, the Chiesa di Santa Maria Raccomandata, a Church dedicated to the Virgin Mary Patroness of the town.

Erected in the 18th century in a fine Baroque style with a light facade and an arched portal surmounted by an oculus.The interior is arranged on a nave with spledid sinuous vaults and it contains some beautiful statues of Neapolitan school.

Worth a special mention that the church is particularly important according to local, old religious traditions for the sailors devotion who visit and pray in that site before to start their long trips in the sea.

Next to the Touristic harbour located in the area of Capo Schisò?you can visit the Archeological Museum one of the main highlights of the town for its immense value.

This exhibition is?reachable in a pleasant walk crossing a very pleasant area until the wall of Recananti district.

The Museum was established using as base the rest of a small Spanish fortress located in a garden surrounded by stoned?walls and that former defencive structure still conserves a tower hosting a space displaying rests of old submarines.?

Inside you will have the chance to admire some objects from the Bronze and Iron age and also relevant artifacts of the? Greek period with magnificent historic founds related to the Hellenic colonies of Chalkis and Naxos.

One of the jewels of the museum is certainly the iconic Arula of Heidelberg displayed? since 1997 previously hosted in the Heidelberg University Museum.

That important historic ancient piece was bought by a German archaeologist called Friedrich Von Duhn at the beginning of the 20th century.

?Once analysed that artifact was a superb local patrimony it was re-bought and transported to Giardini Naxos, visible today in that considerable Museum.

Other important objects displayed in the museum are a magnifcent collection of? cups of Thapsos originally from an area close to Siracusa and some relevant ceramic items made by Naxos school.

Further very interesting pieces are the first silver and gold coins used in Sicily and in the nearest Calabria.

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In in addition you will have the chance to admire very interesting items dating back the Roman and Byzantine Empires.

Close to the Archaeological Museum you can see Castello di Schisò. It is one of the local medieval rests of a manor, former residence of a noble family called De Spuches,probably of Catalan origin who originally lived in Palermo.

The descendants had properties in the nearest Taormina where they owned the famous Palazzo di Santo Stefano but they often used that manor as a stronghold of the family during their stays in Giardini Naxos.

The former construction facing the Ionian Sea was erected on a rectangular plan and in a virtual reconstruction of the defencive system established in the boundaries.

It was with the walls of Torre Vignazza the core of the military architectural network established in the town.

Arranged on two floors with undergrounds it has a series of symmetric windows on its main high facade and despite it is a bit deteriorated some years ago for its relevant value was awarded as Historic Patrimony of Sicily.

Along Lungomare Schisò you can enjoy the the splendid maritime promenade flanking the magnificent beach.Once there do not miss a visit to the Archaeological Park, another relevant historic local jewel.

All the area situated in proximity of the local bay contains several rests dating back the 7th century BC and that is certainly a great attraction ig you are a lover of history and art.

That archaeological space is undoubtedly one of the most considerable sites of the ancient Hellenic civilisation in Eastern Sicily and in that place you can admire many walls of? buildings erected in different historic periods.

You will easily notice all that from the different materials and styles used by the settlers for their construction, some were built by colonists coming from Chalkis and?Eastern Greece while others were erected by the former inhabitants of Naxos.

You can admire? others developed using large lava blocks probably dated the 8th or 7th century B.C and in addition as further highlights some remains of Sacred structures erected in different ages during the Greek and Roman times.

Continuing along the maritime promenade you can see a a statue called L′Uomo ed il Mare,the man and the sea.

That bronze sculpture was made in 1998 in honour of the sailors,those men who among many difficulties and courage face the strength and the daily hard life in the sea.

Giardini Naxos wanted with that artistic work to pay a tribute to all them who with their hard job are part of the history of the town and of all that Sicilian coast.

That stupendous coastal hallway is the liveliest area of the seaside resort highlighted by the presence of different kinds of shops, restaurants, bars, clubs and well known for its avibrant nightlife. In Lungomare Schisò you can also see the Nike di Chalkis, an iron sculpture made by the Master Carmelo Mendola.

It was placed in 1966 in a very small square of lava rock in an extreme point of the promenade after the twinning between the Sicilian town and Chalkis celebrated one year before.

That work was established there not just for a simple sign of friendship but to pay homage to that Greek centre, place from which came? the first Hellenic settlers landed many centuries ago.

If you look carefully that statue you will notice a very interesting detail consisting in a strong resemblence to the famous and notorious Nike of Samothrace,?that famed masterpiece? in marble made by Pitocrito in honor of the Goddess Nike you can admire nowadays in the prestigious Louvre Museum of Paris.

The strong links with Greece and that unforgettable historic past is today present in the local streets and apart that monument and the Temple to honour the Olympic torch in the town you can admire other sculptures linked to the Hellenic world. ?

A further monument linked to all that is a statue depicting Teocles the founder of the first settlement and furthermore you can also admire the Porta di Naxos ,the Gate of Naxos built in 2000 consisting in a Neoclassic Temple door erected to celebrate the twinning with the town of Naxos.

The long local beach is certainly a more than striking attraction, it was originally covered by small stones a sort of gravel called in Sicilian ghiaiettu and later it was totally transformed in a magnificent sandy golden stretch.

It is currently one of the most beautiful beaches of the entire Sicily for the quality of its service such as maintenance, cleanliness and surveillance and boasting a constant deserved Blue Flag.

The turquoise , bewitcihing waters of the Ionian lining a coast totally flanked by a wonderful Mediterranean vegetation highlighted by dazzling exotic plants form for its symmetry and perfect layout? a stunning setting with an idyllic tropical paradise.

A very suggested place to have a great panoramic view to remember forever is to reach the coastal extremity where is situated the Marina Yachting.

From there you will enjoy an unforgettable image of the the entire ionian ?straight towards north and the? marvellous image of the unforgettable silhouette of the? promontory of Capo Taormina.

Another recommended suggestion is a relaxing walk along Calcide Eubea which will show you the formation of the headland walking for about 10/15 minutes along that street flanking magnificent blue waters with a seabed absolutely stupendous.

Notable is the opportunity to practise several outdoor activities in Giardini Naxos Water sports are activities you can enjoy for many months a year with several chances to practise,diving, snorkeling, water skiing, sailing, wind surfing and para fly among others.

The local Gastronomy is a special an highlight and it reflects the typical Mediterranean cuisine of the northeastern Sicily with some affinities with the nearest Calabria.

Do not miss to try the Piscispada a Gghiotta,a delicious plate consisting in swordfish also prepared in many styles such as grilled,baked and in balls too.

Superb are the delectable, fresh Scampi, the notorious delicious Caponata, the frittura mista is also a great option tasting fantastic fried squid with different kinds of fis

Pasta is a further speciality very popular with protagonist the traditional Spaghetti con le Sarde, big Sardines with a exquisite flavour or as alternative the delectable Spaghetti con Acciughe prepared with fresh and delectable anchovies.

I suggest you to try a further plate as the famous Spaghetti a Picchiu Pacchiu prepared with tomato,basil and very spicy Chilli pepper.

Excellent is the renowned Granita as in all the region produced with natural fruit juices, do not miss the fragrant brioches,the famous Pignolata and the notorious Sicilian Cannoli.

Some of the most recommended local, fine wines produced in the area are Faro, Mamertino di Milazzo ,Cariddi and Capo Bianco all them of very high quality.?

? Catania Airport Vincenzo Bellini Fontanarossa is the nearest important Airport located at just 41,0 kilometres from Giardini Naxos driving by? A18 Motorway Catania-Messina taking the exit at Giardini Naxos-Taormina Sud and in approximately 50 minutes you will be at destination.

Giardini Naxos in all its splendour is always ready to welcome you leaving its mark because it is a destination simply unique, a bewitching Ionian paradise very difficult to forget.

Link : www.giardini-naxos.com

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