Francavilla di Sicilia (Messina Province) is 71 km from Messina, alt. 330 m, on the highlands of the Montagna Grande group, between the lower stretch of the River Alcantara and its left-hand contributory, the torrent San Paolo, area 82.1 sq km, pop. 5,014, post-code 98034, tel. 0942. Agricultural economy.
Numerous testimonies dating back from the 5th century BC have been found in this territory.
The modern town developed in the Middle Ages around the Norman castle and the Basilian monastery of San Salvatore di Placa, founded in 1092 on the ruins of a previous monastery.
For many years it was part of the camera reginale (queen's domain); in 1538 it became a fief of Antonio Balsamo.
It belonged to various families, including the Ruffos, the Oretos, the Sperlingas and the Majorca-Mortellaros.
In the upper part is the most ancient nucleus of the medieval town, the rest being baroque in layout.
Churches (Messina Diocese) include the following:
Families researched in these records include the following:
Links to other sites about Francavilla di Sicilia 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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