Messina, Sicily's third-largest city, was once a mere transit point for me. But after exploring, I realized I had missed quite a few interesting sights on my previous trips to Sicily. While earthquakes in 1783 and 1908, as well as WWII bombings, destroyed much of its historic center, the city still holds historical landmarks amidst modern architecture. Messina's unique blend of old and new makes it worth a visit.

In Messina, the Orologio Astronomico is a must-see! It’s one of the world’s largest astronomical clocks. Every day at noon, it performs a show with gilded figures reenacting historical and religious scenes. You’ll see a roaring lion and biblical scenes like the resurrection of Jesus. The other facade features a perpetual calendar as well as a planetarium, showing the solar system.