Mainland Italy was connected to Sicily through a natural bridge – 20,000 years ago. It is the result of a joint research conducted by several universities, including La Sapienza in Rome, Federico II in Naples, Australian National University in Canberra and the Max Planck Institute in Lipsia, Germany.
Homo Sapiens remains were found in the San Teodoro cave in Sicily pointing to his presence in the region, facilitated by the natural passage connecting with the mainland for 1,500 years. Called La Sella, the passage is now 81 meters below sea level and also allowed animals to pass through it (remains of a mammal similar to a horse were also found in the cave).
Strong currents in the strait separating the two lands would have made it almost impossible for the Homo Sapiens to swim across the strait or to use a rudimental boat to navigate it.
So there was no need then for the Ponte sullo Stretto di Messina, a suspension bridge between Sicily and mainland Italy that have been planned for years, with €600m already spent and nothing accomplished yet. It was announced early this year that the bridge would open in 2017. Residents fear the project will benefit construction companies linked to the Mafia and think the bridge is pointless given the lack of good transport links.
