Francavilla di Sicilia, in the province of Messina, stretches across the Alcantara and Zavianni rivers' valleys.
The name Francavilla derives from French Franc Ville, and means free town and it refers to the exemption from feudal taxes which has enjoyed till 1538.
Evidence for the city's eventful history is provided by relics from the 5th century discovered across the territory. Historical records go back to the Norman epoch, relating to the construction of the Basilian Monastero of San Salvatore di Placa and a castle.
The most interesting monuments are the ruins of the Norman Castle rebuilt in the XIV and XVI centuries, the Convent of the capuchins of the XVI century, and the remains of the stronghold Badia called "Badiazza". Various they are the existing nobiliary palaces in all the territory, among "Cagnone Palace", whose east wing is going back sixteenth century, the rest introduces an architectonic one a typical one of late the seven hundred, today of public property of the Municipality.
Turning for the historical center we find "Prescimone Palace" then, that one of the "Sgroi", that one of the "Moncada-Mortillaro". In the ancient part of Francavilla there is the characteristic Fountain Vena, constructed in the 1400 and called "The Fountain of the eigthteen jets".