Rometta: Byzantine History and Nature Trails

Rometta is a destination for travelers who want to combine historical traces in Sicily with nature-rich trails. The town’s Byzantine past is particularly impressive: it can be encountered in a church dating from the 5th or 6th century, in the history of the fortified town, and along a route that places Rometta between the Nebrodi and Peloritani mountains. These are joined by a historical procession and a woodland area near Bosco di San Leone.

Byzantine and Norman Traces

The Chiesa Bizantina dates from the 5th or 6th century. It is the only sacred building from the Byzantine period that has remained intact to this day. Rometta therefore possesses a clearly defined historical testimony whose dating predates many later structures by a considerable margin. Another important stop is the Chiesa Madre di Santa Maria Assunta. Its original structure dates from the 11th century and, in Norman times, had a basilical layout with three naves and a transept. The basilical layout arranges three naves lengthwise and adds a transept running across them.

Town Fortifications and Historical Representation

Porta Messina, also known as Porta Castello, was one of two entrances to the fortified town of Rometta. Recent excavations at Porta Messina uncovered the defensive structures that protected the entrance. As a result, exploring the town’s history involves not only the preserved name of a town gate, but also the documented connection to the structures that protected this access point. The historical perspective is complemented by the Corteo Storico-Bizantino di Rometta. It comprises two costumed processions representing Byzantines and Arab besiegers. The representation thus focuses on two clearly identified historical groups without limiting the history to a single building.

Via Francigena Normanna and Bosco di San Leone

Rometta lies on the Via Francigena Normanna, in the section between the Nebrodi and Peloritani mountains. Along this Via, Rometta is highlighted for its necropolises. This offers you a historical perspective on the town that is based not only on churches and fortifications, but also on the traces along a section of route identified as part of a wider regional itinerary. The described route through the surroundings of Bosco di San Leone passes through a woodland area consisting mainly of downy oaks and holm oaks. Rometta’s natural surroundings also include the Chiesa di San Leone and the former San Leone monastery. This combination of woodland, sacred building, and former monastery gives the surroundings several distinct points of interest.

More Destinations for Your Trip to Sicily

If you would like to compare Rometta with other places, you can then also view Fondachello, Nizza di Sicilia, Pianoconte, Forza D'agrò, Filicudi Porto, Gallodoro, Capizzi and Tusa.

For the higher-level travel overview: Messina.