Capo d'Orlando (Messina Province) is 106 km from Messina, alt. 8 m, on the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the western part of the Cape of the same name, area 14.6 sq km, pop. 12,231, post-code 98071, tel. 0941. Economy: agriculture (citrus fruit, olives), handicraft (wood, iron, ceramics), olive oil, fishing, tourism.
The ancient city of Agathyrnum was located in this area. The accounts of the ancient historians and some evident traces make it reasonable to suppose that there were settlements here before the first millenium BC.
The characteristic headland, which dominates a vast expense of sea, was contended by all the invaders - Greeks, Romans and Saracens.
The name, according to legend, was given to it Charlemagne, when he once passed through, in honor of his nephew Orlando (i.e. Roland).
Recorded for the first time in documents dating from 1320, the town achieved its autonomy from the neighboring commune of Naso in 1925.
On the headland, we can see on a high point the ruins of the ancient 14th century Castle and the Sanctuary of Maria Santissima of Capo d'Orlando (late 16th century)
Churches (Patti Diocese) include the following:
Links to other sites about Capo d'Orlando include:
My latest book on CD is titled Sicily - A Reference for Researchers and is now available. With a file for each town (plus many other files), it relates the history of Sicily as reflected in the photos, records and festivals of its towns. It contains over 2500 text and photo files and can be ordered at CD order.
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