Sicilie

Sources from old books

1635. Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas. London. by Gerhard Mercator.

SICILIE is next to bee described, which excelleth all the Ilands of the Mediterranean Sea. Thucidides calleth it Sicania from Sicanus, who, as Solinus and Capella doe write, came with a band of Iberians into that Country before the Trojan warres. Many doe call it Trinacria, and especially the Poets, in regard it hath 3. Promontories. Or else because it resembleth a Triangle or three cornerd figure, for it runneth forth divers wayes with three Promontories, and so is like the greeke letter Delta, which beareth this shape Δ. These three Promontories are Pelorus, Pachynus, and Lilybaum. The Graecians did call it Sicelia. But some suppose,

—Trinacria quondamMutavere, situm: rupit confinia Nereus:Italiae pars una fuit, sed pontus & aestusVictor, & abscissos interluit aequore monteis. Trimacria hath her situation chang'd,And now the Sea their borders hath estrang'd,Heretofore it was a part of Italie,From whence 'tis now divided by the Sea.

And hence Rhegium is so called in Italie, because Sicilie is there divided from Italie: On the North it hath the Tyrrhene Sea; on the East the Hadriatick and Ionian Sea; on the South the Affrick Sea, and on the West the Sardinian Sea. Thycydides writeth Lib. 6. that the compasse of Sicile is about 8. dayes journey, and yet it lyeth but 20. furlongs from the maine land or continent of Italy. Moreover this Iland doth excell for the wholesomenesse of the ayre, the fruitfullnesse of the soyle, and plenty of all fruite, and other things, which are necessary for the use of man: For it lyeth in the 4. Climate, which for the gentlenesse, and temperatenesse of the ayre, doth exceede the sixe others. So that Sicilie produceth the best fruites. So that Marcus Cato calleth it the Stoarehouse of the Commonwealth, and the Nurse of the Romane People; and Strabo the Barne of Rome. In the Sunensian fields, where the ancients doe faine that Proserpine was tooke away violently, which they call the Navell of Italie, the Corne yeeldeth so great an increase, insomuch that one bushell of Wheate sowed yeeldeth an hundred, which field they call therefore Campe dallo cento Salme. The Leontine fielde is not inferiour unto this, concerning which Cicero saith in his third Oration against Verres. Quid Vina commorabo optimi saporis adorisque? What should I mention the fragrant pleasant Wines.? Pliny (who was most diligent and curious in reckoning the best sorts of Wines) doth affirme that there is excellent good Wine made in Sicilie. And hee saith that there is the Balincian Wine in Sicilie, which tasteth like Methegling, or Wine mingled with honey. So that they suppose the Balincian Wine is that which they call Muskadine, which is very sweete. For both Alpes Muskadine whence so called, that is Bees, and Muscae that is flies doe haunt these Grapes, which are therefore called Muskadine Grapes, out of which a sweet pleasant wine is pressed which they call Muskadine: though some suppose that it was so called because it smelleth like Muske. So that the Wine of Sicilie may be rightly esteemed the best, for it is as good as the Italian Wine, and as pleasing to the Pallat, and will keepe as long. Moreover Sicilie hath great store of Oyle, Suger, Saffron, Honey, Salt, all sorts of fruites, and excellent Silke. Besides Sicilie is rich in Mettalls: for it hath Gold, Silver, Iron, and Allom. It produceth also Pretious stones, as the Emerald, the Achates, the Berill, the red Marble stone, the Iasper, and it hath great heards and flocks of Oxen and Cattell. There is excellent hunting of Does and Boares, and Hauking at Partridges and Quailes, which they commonly call Francolinas. And Falcons, who are enimies to all flying fowle, are taken heere. The fierce Lestrigonians did first possesse this Country, afterward the Sieanians, a Colonie of Spaniards, and lastly the Trojans and Cretensians came hither. Afterward the Graecians did invade it, then the Romanes, and after the division of the Easterne, and Westerne Empire it was subject to Constantinople almost 200. yeares. But in the raigne of the Emperour Iustinian, the Gothes invaded this Iland, who 17. yeares afterward were expelled and droven out by Belisarius. Afterward the Saracens did possesse it, under Michael Balbus, and held it 400. yeares. The Normans succeeded them, and afterward the Langbards, Suevians, and Germanes: but they being droven out by Clement the 4. the Frenchmen possessed it 16. yeares. Afterward it was subject to the Aragonians, untill the raigne of King Ferdinand, after whose decease the Kings of Spaine were also Kings of Aragon, and Sicilie. Pliny reckoneth that there are 72. Citties in it. But now there are 173. Citties and Townes, as Maginus witnesseth. The Metropolis or mother Citty of the Kingdome is Panormus, which Ptolomy and others doe call Palernum, it is now called Palermo. It is an ancient Citty, and a Colony of the Phoenicians, as appeareth by some Epitaphs written in Caldean letters. It is thought that it was built in Abrahams time, being seated in a pleasant fruitfull soyle. It looketh Northward, and is washed with the Tyrrhene Sea, having high walls, which were built by King Frederick. Neere the Sea there is a Castle, which hath beene much enlarged, which they call Castrumad Mare, or the Castle by the Sea. There are also three Gates of the ancient Citty yet standing, and the old Walls, with many Towres built of foure square stone. There is a Church at Panormus consecrate to S. Peter, which was built by Rogerius King of Sicilie, which excelleth both for beauty, and costly building, all the ancient and new Churches in Italy, so that learned men and travellers that come to see it doe much admire it. The greater Church of this Citty is of a kind of a networke building, carved with divers figures and Images, and built by Gualther the second Archbishop of that name, which was founded in the yeare 1185. where the bodies of the Kings, and Queenes, and Dukes are buried and interr'd. There is also a publike Schoole, and an Hospitall for strangers. It would be tedious to rehearse the other faire buildings, and aedifices which are in this Citty. The other Citties are Siracusa, which was heretofore a great Cittie, which the Orator thus describeth in his 4. Oration against Verres. You have often heard that Siracusa is the greatest and fairest of all the Graecian Citties. And so it is, O Iudges as you have heard. For it is strongly situate, and hath a faire comming to it both by Sea and Land, and it hath Havens which are inclosed on every side with bvildings, which having divers entrances, doe at last meete and flow together. Where a part of the Towne, which is called the Ile, being disjoyned by their meeting together, with a straite Sea, is joyned together againe with a Bridge. It is so great a Citty, that they say it doth consist of 4. great Citties, one of which is the Iland aforesaid: which is encompassed with two Havens, at the Mouth of one of which there is King Hierons Pallace, in which the Praetors now dwell. There are many Churches in it, but especially two, which doe farre exceede the rest, one consecrate to Diana, and the other to Minerva, which was a faire Church before Verres came thither. In the farthest part of the Iland, there is a Fountaine of sweet water, which is called Arethusa, which is very great, and full of fish, which would be coverd with the waves of the Sea, but that it is walled about with stones. But there is another Citty of Syracusa which is called Acardina, in which there is a great Market-place, a faire Gallery, and Counsell-house, a great Court, and a Temple of Iupiter Olympus, and many private Aedifices. There is a third Citty which is called •yche, in which there is a great Schoole, and many Churches, and it is well inhabited and frequented. The fourth Citty is that which because it was last built, is called Neapolis, or the new Citty, in which there is a great Theater, & two great Churches, one consecrate to Ceres, and another to Bacchus, and a faire Statue of Apollo, which is called Tennites. But not all the beauty of this Citty is decayd, and onely some ruinous parts of the Towne are remaining. Messana is a Citty by the Sea side, the Inhabitants whereof were first called Messanians, and afterward Mamertinians, which Herodotus and Thucydides doe mention. There is also Catina, which is called Catana, where Charonda the Lawmaker was borne, and it hath now a famous Schoole. Taurominium is a Citty built by the Zanclaeans, it is now called Taormina. There is also Leontium, where Gorgias Sophista was borne. Agrigentum is an ancient Citty, which heretofore the Carthaginians raced, and Megalus and Feriscus re-edified it againe. There are also Augusta which was heretofore called Megara: also Castrogianum, heretofore Ennea: Drepanum, Monreale, Heraclea, and many other Citties. It is watered with many Rivers, in which, as in the Lakes there are good store of Mullets, Eeles, Tenches, and Trowts. And in the Sea there is good fishing for Tunyes, not onely at Pachynum, but also at Panormum, and Drepanum, and all that Coast which lyeth by the Tyrrhene Sea. There are also Sword-fishes taken in the Massonian Sea. Lastly, there is excellent good fishing in the Sicilian Sea, for there are great store of Mullets, which the Grecians call Trichias, and Sophronius and Cicero doe call them Barbels, and also great store of Lampreys. But the Cicilian straites are narrow, dangerous, and rough, and are called by the name of Scylla and Charybdis. The chiefe Mountaines Aetna & Eryx. Aetna by Pindarus is called the Pillar of Heaven. Silius Italicus calleth it Tiphoeum. It is now called Monte Gibella, or Mongibello. Eryx is much memoriz'd for Venus Chappell, which was built by Aeneas. In Sicily are the Archbishops Panormitanus, under whom are the Bishops Agrigentinus, Masarensis, Milevitanus, or Maltensis. The Archbishop of Montis Regalis, under whom are Siracusanus, and Cothanensis. The Archbishop of Messanensis, under whom are Cephaludensis, Pacensis, Lipariensis, Marcus and Militensis, now Milaza.

1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome.

The Island of SICILY is the greatest neighbouring Isle to Italy, from which it is divided by a small Channel running between Messina and Regio, now called the Phare of Messina, and higher in this passage were the Scylla and Charybdis of the Ancients. This Isle was once called Trinacria, from its being Triangular, and abating 3 Promontories at each corner into the Sea, to wit, Cape de Faro, regarding Italy; Cape Passaro, regarding Morea; and Cap• Boij, or Cape Coco, facing the Promontory Mercurio, of Africa. This Isle is termed the Queen of the Mediterranean Isles, not only for its greatness, being in compass about 700 miles; but for her other excellencies and admirable fertility, yielding all things necessary for the use of man; it chiefly abounds in Wines, Oyls, Sugars, Honey, Wax, Salt, Saffron, Minerals, Alom, Agats, Coral, Emeralds, and Silk in great plenty, both raw and wrought, and such abundance of all sorts of Grains, that it was called the Granary of the Roman Empire, and is now found to furnish Malta, the adjacent Isles, Spain, and some part of Italy with her super••ities. Here are many Baths of different natures, which are found good for several Infirmities. The chief Hills in this Isle are Mount Hybla, famous for its Bees and Honey, and Mount Aetna, for its sending forth flames of fire, which in the year 1669 made such an eruption, that it destroyed divers Towns; and for its height, whose top is exalted ten miles above its Basis, and is a good Land-mark to Saylers. This Island was first inhabited by a race of huge Giants, much spoken of by Homer, who called them the Lestrigones; and the Cyclopes of which last was Polyphemus, so famoused for the entertainment of Ʋlysses and his Fellows. This Isle is divided into 3 Provinces or Valleys.

1. VALLI DE NOTO, which is the South-east part, hath for its chief places, 1. Siracusa, once the Metropolis of the whole Isle, strongly fenced about with a Wall, and other Fortifications, being a Garrison of Spaniards. Its Buildings are fair, and shew something of its Antiquity; it hath two Havens, one towards the South, and the other towards the North-sides of the City. 2. Leontium, seated Northwards of Siracusa, with which it had divers times struglings for Priority: And 3. Enna, a Midland Town or City.
2. VALLI DE MAZORA containeth all the West part of the Isle; its chief places are, 1. Moreal, or Montreal, famous for its Archbishops See and Church. 2. Girgenti, the Seat of the Tyrant Phalaris, who afflicted Perillus in the Brazen Bull: and 3. Palermo, once a Colony of the Phoenicians, and now the: chief City in the Isle, being the Seat of the Spanish Viceroy. It is beautified with magnificent Palaces and Temples, curious Buildings, and fair Streets, famous for being the Birth-place of so many brave Men, as was Siracusa.
3. VALLI DE DEMONA, possessing the North-east part of the Isle, and boasteth of its chief Town Messina, seated opposite to Rhegium in Naples, a place of great strength, as well by Nature as Art, haying before it the Sea, where they have a no less famous and commodious, than a strong Haven, and behind it are high Hills. It is the See of an Archbishop, beautified with fair and stately Edifices; and here the Vice-Roy hath a magnificent Palace adjoyning to the Arsenal, where their Gallies, &c. are kept; and here Venus, Neptune, Castor, and Pollux had their Temples, from whose ruins are now erected Christian Churches. The Gentry and Citizens here live in great delight and pleasure; this City is the chiefest place of Traffick in the Isle, being very well frequented by Merchants and Strangers. Its other places are Malaso, seated on the North Promontory; then Erix, where Venus was worshipped; next Catania, where there is a Colledge for the studying the Sciences, but chiefly for the Civil and Canon Laws; and lastly Nicosia, a Midland Town.

1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval.

Sicily is the greatest and best of all the Islands of the Mediterranane Sea; its fertility occasioned it formerly to be called the Granary of Rome. It was first of all inhabited by the Cyclops; afterwards, most of the Cities were swayed by some Princes or other, and the Republick of Syracuse was very considerable. The Carthaginians, Greeks and Romans made War there, during a long while; these last made it their first Conquest, when they began to stir out of Italy. The Sarazins, Normans, Swabians, French and Spaniards, have been successively Masters of it. It has bore the Name of Trinacria, by reason of its triangular Figure, which makes three great Promontories at equal distance. From the most Western called Lilybee, may be discovered Cap Bon in Africa, though it be a hundred Miles off. Mount Aetna, now called Mount Gibel, casts forth Fire and Flames continually in the midst of Snow, sometimes more, sometimes less, and some years since it vomited Water in a bundance. The Emperour Adrian had one day the curiosity to mount it, to see those Fires, and consider the Sun rising, which is said to appear from that Mountain like a Rain-Bow, painted with several colours. In Sicily did the Ancients place the Birth-place of Ceres, and the Rape of Proserpine.

The whole Island is divided into three great Valleyes; Val di Demona, Val di Mazara, Val di Noto. The places which are not upon the Coast, are almost all built upon Mountains. Messina the greatest and richest of all, has had great Priviledges, and ever drove a great Trade of Corn and Silk. The Spaniards remembring the ill Treatments they received there in 1674. have taken from it all the advantages which it had kept, during several Ages. It is near the Pharos, or Streight of the same Name, where the Ancients placed the two Mountains of Scylla and Charybdis, the former in Italy, the latter near Sicily. The Fable runs that Charybdis was a Thief, who stole away Hercules his Heifers, and for that reason was changed into a Sea-Monster. The Port of Messina seem'd to have been made of the Compass. The Younger Pompey assembled there his Fleet; the Christians Fleet before the Battle of Lepanto, had there its Rendezvouz. Palermo is the Capital of the Island, formerly the abode of the Kings, and the usual Residence of the Vice-Roy for the King of Spain, who does Homage to the Pope for his Kingdom. Augusta is considerable for its Scituation and for its Port; all defended by three Fortresses. Syragousa, or rather Saracousa, formerly Syracusa, one of the best Cities of the Roman Empire, is noted in History for its Wars, for its Tyrants, for its Fountain Arethusa, for the brave resistance which it made against the Romans under Marcellus, by the help of the Machines, which the famous Archimedes had raised there for the defence of his Countrey: It had before shewed its Puissance against the Athenians, who, at the Solicitation of the Segestains, had besieged it. The Tyranny of Phalaris, and the invention of the Brazen Bull by Perillus has made Gergenti renowned. Noto has in its Neighbourhood a River, where there are said to have been tame Fish, which eat out of Mens Hands. Comarana is near that ancient Moor or Lake, the draining whereof (contrary to the advice of the Oracle) brought upon its Inhabitants a Pestilence, and the Invasion of their Enemies. Trapano accompanyed with its Port, was noted by the Ancients for the Death of Anchises the Father of Aeneas; it is known by the Moderns for its Salt-Pits, for the fishing of Corail and of tunny-fishies, which is performed there. Mont-real an Archbishops See, has a fine Cathedral Church built by the Normans. Melazzo still preserves the first Monastery of the Fathers Minims, whom the Popish Saint Francis de Paula caused to be built. The Spaniards did particularly make use of this place for the Reduction of Messina. Near Melazzo was Sextus Pompeius defeated by Augustus. On the North, or rather on the West of Sicily, are the Islands of Lapari, renowned for the Fable of Aeolus, for the first Naval Victory of the ancient Romans, and some Mountains which by their Fires and Flames gave Means to the Inhabitants to foretel Tempests. Towards the West are the ancient Aegades, where Catullus defeated the Carthaginians at Sea, during the first Punique War.

Sardinia as well as Sicily belongs to the King of Spain, it lies in the same Sea, which is the Mediterranean, but more towards the West. Its Capital City is Gallari, the Residence of a Vice-Roy and an Archbishops See, and there is gathered that Sardonique Herb, which makes People dye laughing, because that it contracts the Nerves and Muscles, particularly those of the Mouth. When the Ionians were subdued by the Persians, Bias one of the seven Sages of Greece proposed to them the Inhabiting of Sardinia, because of the Convenience of its Situation.

The Isle of Corsica is on the South of the Seigneury of Genoa, the Mistress of it. An Italian Proverb runs, that a Corsican is not to be trusted alive or dead. The Corsicans, as their Enemies say, have so great an inclination to thievery, that if they do not steal in their lifetime, they willingly rise out of their Tombs to steal after their death; they also say that their ancient Pyracies did occasion the name of Corsaires to Pyrates and Sea-Robbers. In this Island is found the Stone Catochite, which sticks to Peoples hands like glue, when they touch it.

The City of Bastia is the abode of the Governour, whom the Genoeses call Vice-Roy. The Ancients reckoned in this Island above thirty good Cities, which have been for the most part ruined. Boniface is now the most commodious Haven with a Fortress, esteemed one of the best of Europe, by reason of its advantageous Situation in the Peninsula.

1695. Thesaurus geographicus a new body of geography by Abel Swall and Tim. Child.

The Island of SICILY, Sicilia.

SICILY is situated in the Mediterranean Sea, between 35 deg. 30 min. and the 38 deg. 40 min. of Latitude; as also between the 36 deg. 10 min. and the 40 deg. of Longitude; stretching it self out from West to North-east, viz. from Masala as far as Cape Faro, for the space of 200 Miles; 180 from West to East, from Trapano to St. Alexis; and 550 in Coasts or Compass in a straight Line, that is to say, without reckoning the Extent of the Cavity of the Gulfs. Indeed, it is the largest Island of the Mediterranean, dignify'd with the Title of a Kingdom, and (as they say) was at first joined to the Continent of Italy, but afterward separated from thence through the violence of the Waves. It was heretofore call d Trinacria, by reason of its Triangular form▪ and with respect to its Three Capes, viz. 1st. That of I Cap• di Faro, or Pelorum Prom••torium, to th• North east, toward Italy. 2d. Il Capo ••ssaro, or P••••um Promontorium, to the South-east▪ toward Gree••. And the 3d. Il Capo di Coco, or Lilybae•m Promontorium, to the West, toward Africa.

The Air is very healthful, and the Soil fertile in all sorts of Fruits and Grains, affording abundance of Wax, Honey, Sugar, Oil, Wine, Saffron, and Silk. Here are also to be seen many Mines of Gold, Silver, Iron, and other Metals and Minerals; besides Salt, Agates, Emeralds, Jaspar, Porphyry, and divers other kinds of Precious-stones. Moreover, there are Forests, and verdant Pastures, that yield much variety of Game. Lastly, On the Coasts, more-especially toward Trapano, the Inhabitants find good store of most excellent Coral. Among the Mountains, that of Aetna, or Mount Gibel, is chiefly remarkable, being of an extreme height, insomuch that Snow always lies on its Top; but Flames continually proceed from an horrible Gulf in the midst thereof, which casts forth into the Air vast heaps of Cinders, with so great violence, that the adjacent Country, for the space of 3 Leagues round, is cover'd with them. This Torrent of Flames hath often burnt the Town of Catania, although the Cinders, when they fall in less quantities serve to dung and enrich the Ground. This Island receiv'd vast Damages by an Earthquake a Year or two ago.

The Kingdom of Sicily hath pass'd under the Dominion of the King of Spain, and is govern'd by his Vice-Roy; although the Kings of France have not forborn to lay Claim thereto, as the Heirs of the Counts of Provence: But His Most Catholick Majesty receives from thence, every Year, a Revenue amounting to the Summ of Four Millions of Crowns. The Rivers of Salso, Dataino, and part of that of Termini, together with some Mountains, divide the whole Island into Three several Districts, commonly call'd Valleys, as it appears from the ensuing Table:

Sicily divided into Three Provinces:

• 1. Valley of Mazara, containing these Cities, &c. viz.
  • PALERMO, Archb. Cap.
  • Mont-Real, Archb.
  • Mazara, Bish.
  • Gergenti, Bish.
  • ...Palymita.
  • ...Marsalla.
  • ...Castel a Mare.
  • ...Calatasimi.
  • ...St. Vito.
  • ...Trapano.
  • ...Xacca.
  • ...Castel Veterano.
  • ...Rivona.
  • ...Miranda.
  • ...Salemi.
• 2. Valley of Demoni, in which are these Towns, &c. viz.
  • MESSINA, Archb.
  • Catania, Bish.
  • Cefaledi, Bish.
  • Pati, Bish.
  • 〈◊〉 Bish.
  • ...Metazzo.
  • ...Termini.
  • ...Polizzi.
  • ...Capizzi.
  • ...Ali.
  • ...Troina.
  • ...Centorvi.
  • ...Nicosia.
  • ...Randazzo.
  • ...Schizone.
• 3. Valley of Noto, in which are these Cities, &c. viz.
  • NOTO, Cap.
  • Syracuse, Bish.
  • ...Motya.
  • ...Augusta.
  • ...Leontini.
  • ...Jarratana.
  • ...Castrogio Vanni.
  • ...Calata Sibeta.
  • ...Modica.
  • ...Xielli.
  • ...Butera.
  • ...Camarana.
  • ...Terra Nuova.
  • ...Alicata.
  • ...Calata-Girone.
  • ...Plutio-Nuovo.
  • ...Ragusa.
  • ...Mazarino.

PALERMO, Panormus, in the Latit. of 37 deg. 20 min. and the Longit. of 36 deg. 45 min. the Capital City of the Island, is pleasantly situated on its Northern Coasts, in the Province or Valley of Mazara, at the distance of 4 miles from Mont-Reale to the North; 60 from the Cape of Coco to the North-east; 140 from Messina to the West; and almost 150 from the Cape of Faro; 228 almost South of Naples; and 270 South of Rome. It was built by the Phenicians, about the time of the arrival of the Grecians in this Island, and erected into a Metropolis by Roger Count of Sicily, being adorn'd with divers fair Buildings, a stately Palace and a strong Fort which defends the Mole. It was formerly the Seat of the Kings of Sicily, and is at this day that of the Vice-Roys, and of an Archbishop. Moreover, Palermo is a very considerable Place, on the account of its Traffick, the Grandeur of the Noblemen, and Riches of its Inhabitants.

Mont-Reale is a small City seated on a Hill near Panormo, from whence it is distant only 4 miles to the East. William II. King of Sicily, caus'd a most magnificent Cathedral-Church to be built here, and endowed it with large Revenues. The Metropolitan-See was also re-establish'd, through the Solicitation of the same Prince, by Pope Lucius III. in the Year 1182.

Mazara stands in the Valley, and at the mouth of a small River of the same Name, almost in the midst between Termini to the East, and the Cape of Coco to the West; about 24 miles from Trapano to the South-east, and 55 from Gergenti to the West. It is well fortify'd, and hath a very convenient Port, together with an Episcopal See subject to the Metropolitan of Palermo.

Gergenti or Agrigente, Agrigentum and Agragas, was heretofore the largest of the Cities of Sicily, extending it self for the space of 10 miles in compass; but is now much decay'd, yet bears the Title of an Episcopal See under the Metropolitan of Palermo. It is built on an Hill, and defended on the Northern side with a Castle, being distant 3 miles from the African See, 54 from Palermo to the South, 64 from the Cape of Coco to the East, and 72 from that of Passaro.

Messina, Messana, is remarkable for its Situation on the Eastern Coasts of the Island, in the Province or Valley of Demona; and hath a very deep and safe Port 4 miles in compass, the Entrance whereof is secured by three Castles, and a great number of Bastions. It is a very fair City, and the most famous Mart of the whole Mediterranean, having four large Suburbs extended on the Coasts, as it were so many Villages. It is also fortify'd with four Citadels, and fourteen Bastions, erected by the Emperor Charles V. A. D. 1555. The publick Buildings are every where very magnificent, more-especially the Royal Palace, and the Arsenal, which is furnish'd with all manner of Ammunitions. The first Foundation of this City was laid by the Messenians, a People of Peloponnesus, under the Conduct of Anaxilaus Tyrant of Rhegium; and was recover'd from the Saracens by Roger Duke of Normandy, A. D. 1060. Afterward, it became subject to the Kings of Sicily; but hath always enjoy'd very great Privileges, together with the Title of a Metropolitan See, and is at present govern'd by a certain Lieutenant, commonly call d Il Stradigo. The Emperor Henry VI. died here, A. D. 1198. and Frederick III. King of Sicily, in 1377. Messina is scarcely distant 6 miles from the Coasts of the Farther Calabria to the West, 12 from Regio, about 150 from Palermo, 12 from Cape Faro to the South, and 60 from Catania.

Catania, Catana, or Catina, is seated on a Gulf whereto it hath imparted its Name, at the mouth of the River Judicello, about 40 miles from Syracuse to the North, and 50 from Messina. It was built by the Chalcedonians, (according to the report of Eusebius;) but the Emperor Charles V. caus'd it to be encompass'd with Walls and Fortifications. It is a Place of considerable Traffick, and the See of a Prelate suffragan to the Archbishop of Mont-Reale: But the neighbourhood of Mount Aetna, or Gibel, is very prejudicial thereto; for it was miserably laid waste, A. D. 1669. and a great number of Villages within its Territories have been utterly overthrown, through the violence of those fiery Torrents.

Cefaledi, or Cefalu, Cephaledis, Cephalaedis, Cephaledium, and Cephalodium, is extended on the Northern Coasts of the Isle into the Toscan Sea, as it were in form of a Promontory, and hath a very capacious Harbour defended by a Castle built on an Hill, being distant 32 Miles from Palermo to the East, 50 from Patti, and 84 from Messina.

Patti, Pactae, or Pacta, is a well built City about 48 miles from Messina to the West, toward Palermo; and scarcely 500 Paces from the Sea-coasts on the Northern-side of the Island. It was built near the Ruins of Tyndaro, a demolish'd Town, by Count Roger, after the expulsion of the Saracens, and erected into an Episcopal See under the Metropolitan of Messina, by Pope Eugenius III.

Noto, Netum, or Neetum, the Capital of a Valley or Province of the same Name, is a very fair and large City standing on a high Mountain, and environ'd on all sides with steep Rocks and Valleys; on the Southern-side of the Isle, at the distance of 8 miles from the Sea-coasts, 15 from Cape Passaro to the North-west, and 25 from Syracuse to the South. It was the Place of Nativity of Ducel King of the Sicilians, who built this Town before the time of the Romans.

Syracuse, Syracusae; or Saragossa (according to the Pronunciation of the Spaniards) was heretofore the Metropolis of the whole Island of Sicily, but is now almost ruin'd through divers Revolutions. It hath also been for some time the See of an Archbishop, and as yet retains that of a Prelate suffragan to the Metropolitan of Mont-Reale. It is situated at present in a Peninsule of pure Rock, and defended by a Castle which is in like manner erected on a Rock, and separated from the Town by a large Moat. The Cathedral-Church, dedicated to St. Lucius, was in time past the Temple of Diana. There are also divers other Churches, and stately Edifices, together with a very commodious Harbour. We are inform'd by Dionysius Halicarnasseus, that Syracuse was founded by a Person descended from Hercules, and nam'd Archias, who came from Corinth. However, it is certain that at first it was divided into Four Parts, or rather so many Towns, viz. those of Neapolis, Achradina, Tycha, and Ortygia; and in process of Time became one of the fairest and largest Cities of the World. It is distant 40 miles from Catania to the South, 38 from Cape Passaro, and 60 from Castro Jounna to the South-east.