8 April 2008
the legend of fata morgana
You’re relaxing in the Strait of Messina between Calabria and Sicily, enjoying the perfectly still water and air.
All is right with the world, you think, as you sip the local red.
You gaze into the glistening water and suddenly you feel like you’re closer to the island of Sicily than you thought you were. Indeed, it looks like you could reach out and touch it!
Is this what a sun stroke feels like?
Have you enjoyed a bit too much vino?
The history of southern Italy goes back as far as civilization itself, and so do many of her superstitions (malocchio anyone?) and myths–including the famous legend of the Fata Morgana, the Fairy Morgan, half-sister of King Arthur.
The story goes that as Roger de Hauteville sat on the coast of our bella Calabria dreaming of a Norman conquering of Sicily, he caught a whiff of orange blossoms and heard celebratory music coming from the Tyrrhenian Sea.
A hermit (clearly breaking Hermit Code) informed Roger that the melodies arose from Sicily, where Saracens were dancing and partying as Christians suffered in slavery.
Roger wanted to go over immediately, but he didn’t have ships to cross the Strait (and dang it, there was no ferry at the time). So he sat some more on the beach, as many of us do, wondering what to do next.
Improvvisamente a fairy with a magical coach and seven white horses appeared before him and offered to transport him to the island.
Roger refused her help, which angered the Fairy Morgan. In retaliation, she threw three stones into the sea making Sicily appear achingly within the reach of Roger.
He stood his ground, though, and proclaimed that he didn’t need the help of some fairy to conquer Sicily–all he needed was the help of Jesus Christ!
The fairy and her illusions disappeared, and later on, Roger did get to Sicily with his own ships and conquered the island in the name of Jesus Christ.
Indeed, he is now known as Roger I of Sicily.
It is said that the image seen by Roger still appears off the coast of Reggio Calabria often on mornings following cold nights when there is calm, still air and water. The shore of Sicily appears reflected in and above the sea, with buildings lengthened and deformed, depicting a colorful, moving, magical city of Messina.
This meteorological (and some say mythical) mirage is knows as the Fata Morgana, and she patiently awaits your arrival. You have to buy the wine though.
Related posts:
- touring sicily: tindari’s sanctuary of the black madonna
- calabria
- i’m back with an interview with…me!
- my italian vacation (sort of) and your summer homework
- love thursday: hearts in savoca, sicily
23 beans of wisdom »
Gil on 08 Apr 2008 at 8:14 am #
Thanks for another great story and more beautiful pictures. I remember being in Reggio Calabria on Easter weekend having a caffe or two and some food in a small bar next to a store that was completely filled with the Easter version of Panettone. We were actually early for the ferry to Messina.
My pleasure Gil, and thanks for sharing some Strait memories
Beatriz on 08 Apr 2008 at 9:15 am #
Great post Michelle. I have never heard of the Fata Morgana, very interesting. I visited your post on malocchio too, I snickered all the way… not that I am not superstitious, your writing made me do it!
Beatriz’s last blog post..The Photograph
Malocchio is rather amusing Beatriz…until it happen to you of course
Linda on 08 Apr 2008 at 10:37 am #
Beautiful story. Takes me back to the time we crossed the Strait in ‘02. What a great holiday!
What about the mirage a few years back about a bridge crossing the Strait? I think it was
called the legend of Fata Silvio ; )
Linda’s last blog post..Disco 2000 - CanCon
Hah! Legend in his own mind…that just might be reappearing again soon
Courtney on 08 Apr 2008 at 11:25 am #
What a lovely post to awake to on a Tuesday morning! Would that I were there right now…
Buon giorno to you as well Courtney
running42k on 08 Apr 2008 at 11:47 am #
Your writing is so good, I almost felt like I was sipping a good red in Italy instead of mediocre coffee in Canada.
running42k’s last blog post..Is it really here?
Why thank you–that *is* quite a difference
nyc/caribbean ragazza on 08 Apr 2008 at 11:59 am #
thanks for sharing this legend Michelle. it’s a great story.
nyc/caribbean ragazza’s last blog post..Small world
My pleasure
anno on 08 Apr 2008 at 12:14 pm #
Lovely story! And lovely photos to go along with it, too. I had no idea that the fairy Morgana starred in Italian folklore & legends. Thanks for posting this.
anno’s last blog post..The Things I Love (a partial list)
I didn’t either Anno…learn something new every day
Judith in Umbria on 08 Apr 2008 at 12:59 pm #
Fata Morgana I knew, in Sicilia? That’s new! Thanks.
Judith in Umbria’s last blog post..Cooking in the greening days of spring
Prego!
chesca (exskindiver) on 08 Apr 2008 at 1:28 pm #
hi michelle,
lovely images came to mind.
my sister in law is italian and she was born in calabria.
she has not been back since she moved here when she was 8.
we should go together.
i am sorry i missed your interactive friday!
that was so fun i read everything, planning to jump in at the end…racking my brains for a clever question…and then bam–it was not open after all–hahahaha.
(i never did come up with a clever question anyway, so all is well)
yes i do remember playing along on kailani’s site once.
___
Grace’s story is about to wrap up i see. I never did end up contributing anything, unlike you and wanderlust scarlett…but it was great to see the story unfold through different writers’ minds.
_____
cheers and see you again.
~chesca
chesca (exskindiver)’s last blog post..My First Ride
Oops, sorry you missed blogging my blog! I’ll let you know the next time we play, so do keep thinking
And yes, you should definitely come to Calabria with your SIL…probably hasn’t changed much since she was here actually!
Now I have to get over there and read about Grace….
kacey on 08 Apr 2008 at 2:24 pm #
What a great story. I love coming here and catching your bits of history. I’d like a bit of that wine right now too…though it’s a tad bit early in the day for it here.
kacey’s last blog post..The Really Cool Wooden Bench
Early schmerly, Kacey…salute!
Ninotchka on 08 Apr 2008 at 2:24 pm #
Awww, I hope to see it someday.
Me too! I’ve never seen it in person….
Tina on 08 Apr 2008 at 3:04 pm #
I’m kind of craving a Sicilian orange now…
Tina’s last blog post..Another day of translation
Mmmm…can you smell the blossoms too?!
Billy on 08 Apr 2008 at 4:40 pm #
Morgan, or Morgan la Faye, is portrayed in dozens of ways in Arthurian legend. In some she is good, in some evil. I had never heard of this particular legend, however, although I had heard the phrase Fata Morgana. Really fascinating.
Billy’s last blog post..Cycles
Always happy to share a legend Billy
Quirky on 08 Apr 2008 at 5:13 pm #
What a lovely story! I’ve never heard it before, but I really like it. And the pictures are fabulous! One day I hope to see it with my own eyes.
Quirky’s last blog post..4/8/08 The Addicting Properties of Kitties and Chamomile
Glad you enjoyed it Quirky
Laurie on 08 Apr 2008 at 5:28 pm #
Yeah for Roger who stuck to his pistoles!
Have you seen this mirage Michelle? Knowing me I’d sit on the banks of Calabria..waiting..waiting…waiting..
I love lore like this!
Always much thanks to you for enlightening us with rich history of a rich civilization..
Ciao Michelle!
Laurie’s last blog post..La Cocina Bar & Grill
I haven’t Laurie, but I hope to someday
And I love lore like this too, and I also love sharing 
J on 08 Apr 2008 at 8:05 pm #
Wonder what she was doing in Italy, so far from Cornwall and Avalon? Maybe she got tired of crappy English weather?
J’s last blog post..Happiness
Hah! Excellent point J
amanda on 08 Apr 2008 at 9:20 pm #
Wistful words and beautiful photos. I’d like to try that wine some day.
amanda’s last blog post..Dyed hair and false smiles
And I’d love to share a bottle with you Amanda
Dory on 09 Apr 2008 at 12:14 am #
What a beautiful story! Thanks
Dory’s last blog post..Puppy Mills
You’re very welcome Dory
Karina on 09 Apr 2008 at 1:50 am #
What a great post, I loved this story. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Karina’s last blog post..It’s All About Choices
My pleasure Karina
Pat on 09 Apr 2008 at 3:08 am #
Hi Michelle
I love your blog!
Do you still live in Badolato? I have so many questions about it. I tried sending them to your e-mail address but I haven’t had a reply as yet…maybe it went into your spam folder?
My husband was born in Calabria in Goiosa Ionica. The Ionian Sea is so beautiful. I collected so much sea glass when we visited.
Ciao,
Pat
Pat’s last blog post..Breakfast Challenge
Hi Pat, I have responded (actually quite a while ago–March 27!), and I will forward the response again–I might be in YOUR spam folder
I’ll come visit you on your blog as well to make sure you know I’m trying to get to you 
flutter on 09 Apr 2008 at 5:23 am #
I just adore reading you
flutter’s last blog post..Does it edify?
And I you, Flutter. Nice to see you
themommykelly on 09 Apr 2008 at 2:20 pm #
Wow. I never heard that one. Thanks for sharing it. I do love me some of those Italian legends!
themommykelly’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesdays: OH, MY!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Sara on 12 Apr 2008 at 11:42 pm #
Ah, this is awesome, and I love how you tell it. And yes, I long to come over and drink now and eat something fantastically spicy that I will regret late at night while I’m also putting aloe on my sunburn.
Oh we’ll get along so well! I often regret spicy and let’s not even talk about my milky complexion and how it “fairs” (hah!) in southern Italy….