Patti, Italy

Infobox CityIT
img_coa = patti-Stemma.gif
official_name = Comune di Patti
name = Patti
region = Sicily
province = Messina (ME)
elevation_m = 157
area_total_km2 = 50.18
population_as_of = 2007
population_total = 13309
population_density_km2 =
timezone = CET, UTC+1
coordinates = coord|38|8|N|14|58|E|region:IT_type:city(13224)
mapx = 38.141
mapy = 14.966
frazioni = Tindari, Case Nuove Russo, Case Nuove Malluzzo, Mongiove, Scala, Moreri, San Cosimo, Madoro, Scarpiglia, Marinello, Gallo, Camera, Provenzani, Sorrentini.
telephone = 0941
postalcode = 98066
gentilic = Pattesi
saint = St. Febronia
day = July 5
mayor = Giuseppe Venuto (since June 12, 2006)
website = [http://www.comune.patti.me.it http://www.comune.patti.me.it]

Patti is a town in North-Eastern Sicily, southern Italy, administratively part of the province of Messina, on the western shore of the gulf of the same name. It has 13,224 inhabitants as of December 31, 2004, and it is distant 76 km from Messina.

It is connected to the rest of Sicily by train, via the "Patti-San Piero Patti" train station, located on the railway line Messina-Palermo, and the A20 Palermo-Messina highway. It is still known for the ruins of Tindari, famous for its ancient Greece theatre, and the "Villa Romana".

History

It stands near the site of the ancient Tyndaris, a Lacedæmonian colony that had a very flourishing commerce; the magnificent temple of Mercury in the latter city was despoiled by Verres. By the time of Pliny the Elder, the sea had encroached greatly upon the shore, and after the foundation of Patti, Tyndaris was almost entirely abandoned; there remains only the church of Santa Maria del Tindaro, with a Franciscan monastery.

The current town name derives from the name given by its inhabitants after they moved there, following an earthquake that destroyed Tindari, forcing them to find another place to settle. The new site was named "Epì Akten" (Greek for 'on the shore'), from which the contracted name "Patti" derives.

The city was rebuilt by Count Roger, after the Saracens had been driven from Messina (1058). The town was founded by the Norman king Roger II of Sicily in 1094. Patti is also famous for its large sandy beaches.

Patti was destroyed by Frederick of Aragon about 1300, on account of its attachment to the House of Anjou; rebuilt in the 16th century, it was later sacked by the Ottoman Turks.

Main sights

*Ruins of Tindari
*Remains of a Roman Villa (3rd century AD)
*Necropolises of Monte (10th-8th centuries BC) and san Cosimo (3rd millennium BC-9th century BC)
*Cathedral (10th century), housing the sepulchre of Adelaide of Monteferratlo

ee also

*Diocese of Patti

ources and references

(incomplete)
*Catholic|Diocese of Patti