Salice

Salice combines a hilly landscape with prominent traces of history and local tradition. This impression is particularly tangible at Forte dei Centri, while viewpoints, a CAI hiking route, and the connection to Messina offer different ways to discover the area. Here, you can bring together the landscape, architectural history, and local stories through a variety of explorations.

Hills, Pastures, and Expansive Views

The area around Salice is hilly and characterized by extensive pastureland, areas used for agriculture, and woodland formations with tree species typical of the Peloritani Mountains. This landscape provides the setting for a place where open spaces alternate with wooded sections. Piazza Madonna di Lourdes offers panoramic views of Salice and the Tyrrhenian Sea; in clear weather, the view extends as far as the Aeolian Islands.

Above Piazza Madonna di Lourdes, a grotto is located in a rock face. Inside it are statues of Our Lady of Lourdes and Saint Bernadette. The site thus combines a viewpoint with a religiously significant destination.

Fort, Tower, and Traditional Stories

Forte dei Centri is a 19th-century fort and is one of the so-called Forti Umbertini. It was built between 1882 and 1892. Salice is therefore home to a clearly identified military structure that is central to the history of the area. As part of the “Forti d’Autunno” event, Forte dei Centri was opened to visitors with exhibitions, entertainment, guided tours, and tastings. This describes the use of the fort during the event, not general or permanent opening.

Another prominent structure is Torre Benini, also known as “Castelluccio.” The square tower has the shape of a truncated pyramid and forms part of the system of coastal watchtowers. This architectural history is complemented by local tradition: legends in Salice tell of the merging of three figures named Stefano.

A specific date also leads back into the history of the area. In 1134, Roger II transferred the territory of Salice to the Basilian monastery of San Salvatore di Messina. The history of the area therefore extends beyond the more recent fortifications and also includes medieval connections to land ownership and monasteries.

Path to Forte dei Centri and Routes to Viewpoints

A CAI hiking route leads from the Torrente Tarantonio along a path to Forte dei Centri in Villaggio Salice and returns along the same path. The route is therefore described as an out-and-back trail using the same connection. In addition, Salice has numerous equipped picnic areas that are incorporated into tourist routes to viewpoints. Those who wish to combine different ways of exploring the area will therefore find both a route to a specific structure and paths leading to scenic viewpoints.

Geographical Orientation

The provincial road S.P. 51 connects Salice to the south via the S.P. 51 bis with the center of Messina, and to the north with the town of Orto Liuzzo. When choosing accommodation in Salice, you can therefore consider the area's features according to your preferred focus: on the one hand, the fort and local history; on the other, the landscape, viewpoints, and the described hiking route.

If you would like to add more places to your selection, you can also visit Rinella, Tusa, Furci Siculo, San Marco D'alunzio, Locadi, Sant’Angelo di Brolo, Torregrotta and Rocca di Capri Leone.

For the broader travel overview: Messina.