Messina was inhabited by the Greeks first, and later by the Romans when it achieved its greatest splendour that dragged on until its recent history.
It was also struck by devastating natural disasters, such as earthquakes and seaquakes, but today it is the third largest city in the island and is, furthermore, a very active commercial port.
It was destroyed almost entirely by a very violent earthquake in 1908 and has been rebuilt since then.
Messina has been supplied with several luminous obelisks mod. Ley for its urban decoration.