Alcantara, River
Part of The Encyclopedia of Southern Italy.
Alcantara, River> (anc. Acesines): A river (length: 48 km) in E Sicily (provinces of Catania and Messina), on which Naxos, the first Greek city in Sicily was founded. The city was located not far from the river’s mouth. The river rises on the S slopes of the Monti Nebroni (Serra di Barletta [1,395 m]), near Foresta, and it marks part of the border between the provinces of Messina and Catania. Flowing eastward along the base of Mt. Etna, it finally empties into the Ionian Sea at a point 3.2 km S of Capo Schiso. During its course it captures the waters of the torrente Roccella, and, near Randazzo, receives waters from Lago Guarrida. The Alcantara produces hydroelectric power at a dam near Francavilla di Sicilia, and is vital to the irrigation of much of NE Sicily.
The name Alcantara derives from the Arab term el kantara (=the bridge). It probably refers to a now-ruined Saracen bridge located farther up the river from Naxos. Alcantara gave its name to an order of knighthood in Spain.