Is it possible to organize a beach holiday that, in addition to having fun, can also give you moments of recollection and prayer? And which destination to choose, if we also wanted to add the search for inimitable flavors and tastes at the table?
The answer is found in Sicily, ad Altavilla Milicia, the pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea in the Metropolitan city of Palermo, where they await you dream beaches e Ancient shrines, tasty dishes e Religious holidays to discover, to have fun in the Sicilian way, between devotion, breathtaking views and genuine food.
Altavilla Milicia and the Marian cult
Visiting cities and towns on the occasion of the Patronal Festivals is certainly an excellent idea, for all those who want to be catapulted into surprising atmospheres, where faith becomes the joy of living and explodes in processions, songs and prayers, but also lots of fun. In Altavilla Milicia we point out the Feast of the Madonna Milicia, held on September 8th.
The Marian cult is one of the most heartfelt in the town: the great Procession following the painting that reproduces the Madonna is one of the key moments of the celebration, among the oldest in all of western Sicily. Normally the painting, which is traced back to the prestigious school of Giotto and according to legend was found on the beach, is kept in the XNUMXth century Marian Diocesan Sanctuary.
Following the myth, the most curious could reach the Altavilla Milicia beach e Chief Saffron, to reconstruct the legendary journey of the painting of the Madonna, thus also discovering some of the most beautiful beaches in the area.
Beaches and nature in Altavilla Milicia
Speaking of beaches, Altavilla Milicia has its access to the sea from the lido at the foot of the hill. The Sanctuary of the Madonna della Milicia look towards the sea, where the colors are iridescent. The clear waters lap the sandy beach and the seabed is shallow for several metres, making this beach perfect for families.
Naturally, the coast welcomes you with establishments that offer sunbeds, umbrellas and refreshment services, as well as guaranteeing the cleanliness of the shoreline. A little further south of the beach, there are two wonderful small coves.
If you are willing to stray a few miles, you can reach Cala Sciabica, Near the Norman Tower about 6 km southeast of Altavilla Milicia. Here the jagged coast is famous for its marvelous coves, between rocks and clear waters. A perfect destination for those who love to do snorkeling to spot lots of fish.
There is no shortage of bathing establishments along the coast, to offer you refreshment and comfort, even if we would like to recommend this marvelous beach to the more adventurous bathers, who prefer the rocky beach.
In Altavilla Milicia, however, there is not only the sea: one of the most beautiful green areas in Sicily is located right next to the village: it is the Oriented Nature Reserve of Pizzo Cane, Pizzo Trigna and Grotta Mazzamuto, among surprising natural scenarios such as caves dug into the rock and the remains of ancient prehistoric settlements.
Altavilla Milicia and the delicacies of the table
So far we have talked about the historical, artistic and natural beauties of Altavilla Milicia in Sicily, but there is another great treasure that Sicily holds and which, once on the island, is all to be discovered: we are talking about the kitchen, which here offers you some of the tastiest flavors of our country, with dishes famous all over the world and prepared with local, healthy and therefore delicious ingredients.
Start the meal with simple bread and oil, taking advantage of what is one of the typical products of Altavilla Milicia, namely theolive oil; forget the diet, ordering it as the main course flavored sausage with the spices and finally finish with a flourish, with the Typical Italian cake with custard cream filling, in its winter version with ricotta or cream, or in the summer version, filled with delicious melon ice cream.
Here, after having satiated the spirit with recollection and prayer and reinvigorated the body with a stop on the beach between the sun and the sea, the appetite is also satisfied, with a holiday in Altavilla Milicia! And you, what are you waiting for to come in person, to experience this wonderful daydream?
© Image by Berthold Werner, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
