Messina has the misfortune of being situated on a major tectonic plate boundary , between the European plate and the African plate . On 11 January 1693 , a major earthquake struck the eastern coast of Sicily from Messina to Syracuse ; twenty-nine people died , and destruction extended to the Royal Palace , the Episcopal Palace , the Seminary , and there was severe damage to the Church of S. Francesco . The bell towers of the cathedral and the church of SS . Anunziata were destroyed . In February 1783 , Messina was stricken by a major destructive earthquake . At least 617 persons died in the city . The cathedral , Episcopal Palace , seminary , a large part of the hospital , most of the palazzi in the Teatro Maritima , and convents and monasteries ( including the Certosa of S. Bruno and the Convent of S. Dominico Soriano ) were damaged or destroyed . On 28 December 1908 a major earthquake struck Messina , destroying the Cathedral , the seminary , and numerous other buildings . It is estimated that 91 % of the buildings in Messina were destroyed . The quake was accompanied by a destructive tsunami . Some 75,000 people lost their lives
major earthquake struck the eastern coast of Sicily
1693 Sicily earthquake
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Messina-Lipari-Santa Lucia del Mela