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| Messina is a beautiful city. Many of the buildings are relatively new in this area because of devastating earthquakes related to the volcanic activity related to tectonic plate movement. |
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| Mt. Etna is in the background with lemon trees in the foreground. It was a shame it was too foggy/cloudy to see the peak. |
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| The craters and lava flows on the slopes of Mt. Etna look somewhat like you're on another planet. |
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| This is the interior of the Silvestri Crater. The elevation of this area is 6200 feet above sea level. |
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| Another view of Mt. Etna. On a clear day you can see the top. |
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| Our Italian tour guide is sharing information regarding lava flows and rock formation on Mt. Etna. |
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| Here I am, and that's Mt. Etna in the background. You cannot see the top due to clouds/fog. |
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| You can get an idea about the size when you note the folks standing on the craters. It was a little chilly at this elevation. |
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| I climbed the Silvestri Crater. Here I am after completing the task. |
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| Messina is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. “We bless you and your city” and it is a quote from a letter the Virgin Mary sent to the population of Messina. It's on the monument in Latin. |
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| Sicily Side: The tower represents the closest point between Sicily and the Italian Mainland. There's been talk for many years of building a bridge between the mainland and Sicily. |
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| Italian Mainland Side: The tower represents the closest point between Sicily and the Italian Mainland. |
