Rodi Milici (Messina Province) is 52 km from Messina, alt. 125 m, on the north face of the Monti Peloritani, in the hinterland of the Gulf of Patti (Rodi is on the left of the lower valley of the Patri torrent, while Milici is higher up, on the opposite bank), area 29.1 sq km, pop. 2,284, post-code 98059, tel. 090. Agricultural economy: oranges, olives, vines.
Tradition has it that Rodi took its name from settlers from Rhodes who came here at the beginning of the period of the Greek colonization of Sicily. A rose-colored cupola from the ancient city of Rodys has been brought to light from the bed of the River Patri. It is also possibly true however that the Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, having obtained the hamlet from Frederick II of Swabia, gave the place the name of the island they came from: Rhodes. There is still an old palace at Milici that bears the Order's coat of arms.
From the characteristic lanes, between the rows of houses, we can admire the surrounding country side, with the prehistoric necropolis on Monte Gonia, the ruins of Longane on Monte Ciappa, Pizzo Columbo with its Bronze Age fort - the theater of the battle between the Mamertines and the troops of Hieron II (269 BC), and the orange-orchards in the valley.
Churches (Messina Diocese) include the following:
Links to other sites about Rodi Milici include:
My latest book on CD is titled Sicily - A Reference for Researchers and is now available. With a file for each town (plus many other files), it relates the history of Sicily as reflected in the photos, records and festivals of its towns. It contains over 2500 text and photo files and can be ordered at CD order.
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