The Stele Madonna della Lettera (Our Lady of the Letter Monument) at the tip of the spit that protects Messina Harbour stands almost 200 feet tall and was erected in 1934 on the end of the Forte del Santissimo Salvatore. The brilliantly gilded statue of Madonna blessing those coming and going tops a very tall, slim column which is sitting on a large circular base. On the seawall base is the Latin "VOS ET IPSAM CIVITATEM BENEDICIMUS". The Dutch passenger cruise ship Statendam (1929) is in the left background. A vertical format negative.