Feast of the Immaculate Conception in Altofonte

La Feast of the Immaculate Conception in Altofonte brings the community together with processions, bonfires and traditional foods. A special occasion for tourists who can appreciate the beauty of an area rich in history and art.

Description of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in Altofonte

The feast of the Immaculate Conception is divided into 4 phases.
On November 28th the novena begins and after the liturgy the simulacrum of the Madonna is carried in procession into the town for the blessing of the community.

On December 7th in the afternoon the statue of the Immaculate Conception with a decorated launch with laurel branches, rosemary, oranges and other fruits typical of this area of ​​Sicily, it crosses the streets and squares of Altofonte accompanied by a procession with religious and civil authorities. At the end of the procession the fruits are burned in a large bonfire.

On the night between 7 and 8 December, the Immaculate Conception calls the brothers of the Congregation of the Most Holy Mary. Immaculate through a brother who shouts: "brother, Mary Immaculate is calling you!". The brothers respond in chorus: "but what a call from Mary Immaculate" and immediately after the called brother responds: "here I am".
Meanwhile, at night the streets of the town are crowded with faithful and tourists who eat some typical biscuits prepared at home by the families of the brothers and drink hot coffee and tea to warm up. The community then meets in the church for the liturgies and still late at night they eat the "vastedde", special focaccias seasoned with oil and cheese or with ricotta.

On the evening of December 8th after the evening mass, the statue of the Immaculate Conception travels through the streets of the town again and the celebration ends with fireworks and music.

History of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in Altofonte

The feast of the Immaculate Conception in Altofonte is organized by the Congregation of Maria SS. Immaculate with the help of the parish priest of Santa Maria di Altofonte. The first brothers formally reunited in 1778 but only at the end of the nineteenth century did the tradition of a great celebration to commemorate the Immaculate Conception begin. The event is a collective prayer, but there has always been room for sharing food , collection of goods as a sign of Christian charity and mercy which are the distinctive elements of the Congregation. Some traditions of peasant culture during the festival are transformed into a Christian one. The bonfire of fruits of the earth that brings together devotees on December 7 to evoke purification from sin, recalls the large fires lit by farmers to regenerate and fertilize the land.

When the Feast of the Immaculate Conception takes place in Altofonte

The party takes place on 7 and 8 December every year but on November 28th the community prepares for the event with the novena.

Where the Feast of the Immaculate Conception takes place in Altofonte

The entire historic center of Altofonte is involved in the celebrations, the processions in fact cross the ancient streets of the town, but the heart of the celebration is the Mother Church.

What to do in Altofonte during the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception in Altofonte is a great event that draws visitors' attention to the town's historic churches and buildings. In fact, tourists can admire the Mother Church of Altofonte built in 1633 by Abbot Scipione Borghese which houses the marble bas-relief of the Madonna with Child from the XNUMXth century.

Also very interesting Church of St. Michael the Archangel, built in the early XNUMXth century and the Church of Santa Maria of the XNUMXth century.

The area rich in springs has also given rise to a large quantity of fountains which trace the history of the country. In fact, among the streets of Altofonte there are the Borghese fountain of 1630; there Bourbon fountain, of 1794, the Empire fountain, of 1884 and the Large fountain, already used in the 1909th century and covered in XNUMX by polychrome ceramics from the mid-XNUMXth century. Among the historic buildings the most interesting is Palazzo Vernaci in Corso dei Mille, a princely residence from 1750 known for its large garden and the 4 lions placed on the pillars of the two entrances which give the structure the grandeur typical of eighteenth-century residences. Inside, the main floor is adorned with frescoes. A plaque commemorates that the Vernaci family hosted Giuseppe Garibaldi and his general staff in their Palazzo on the night between 21 and 22 May 1860.

How to get to Altofonte

From Palermo take the SS624 and after 8,7km take the exit towards Altofonte. Continue following the signs for the historic center of the town for 2,3km.