Feast of the Madonna del Balzo in Bisacquino
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Religious
La Feast of the Madonna del Balzo in Bisacquino is an event that is celebrated annually in a small town in the province of Palermo. There is really a lot to know about an event that has entered the collective imagination of many Sicilians.
Here are the most important points of the party to be able to take part in it.
The description of the Feast of the Madonna del Balzo in Bisacquino
The Feast of the Madonna del Balzo Bisacquino is preceded by two weeks of important ecclesiastical events, attended by a new priest. Then, the faithful go on Mount Triona with the aim of thanking and praying to the Madonna del Balzo for her clemency. At the same time, she's very iconic religious race inside a highly suggestive and characteristic place.
The history of the Feast of the Madonna del Balzo in Bisacquino
The Feast of the Madonna del Balzo is based on a very important story. Indeed, the path leading up to the shrine appeared as a pilgrimage point, so that the Virgin could listen to the faithful and intercede through her work. It is no coincidence that the route was already considered as one in 1694 Via Sacra. At that time, the Capuchin friar Biagio da Caltanissetta had the fourteen stations of the Passion of Christ built. Each altar has a different painting, with the mysteries depicted at each moment.
The birth of the Sanctuary where the festival takes place dates back to the XNUMXth century. The place was not chosen randomly, given that many special events took place in these parts in ancient times. For these reasons, the Festa della Madonna del Balzo Bisacquino is a perfect occasion for numerous pilgrimages by faithful from all corners of Sicily, in order to take part in a procession considered very iconic.
When the Feast of the Madonna del Balzo Bisacquino is held
The Feast of the Madonna del Balzo in Bisacquino takes place every year on August 15th, but is preceded by another fifteen days of events organized and attended by a young priest and with a strong religious and cultural impact. The actual celebrations last two days and culminate, as already mentioned, with the ascent of Mount Triona.
Where the Feast of the Madonna del Balzo takes place in Bisacquino
The festival takes place every year on Mount Triona, in the heart of the town of Bisacquino. The is chosen Sanctuary of the Madonna del Balzo as the ideal venue for the celebration, built at an altitude of almost a thousand metres. The town has about 4000 inhabitants and is located in eastern Sicily.
What to do on the occasion of the Feast of the Madonna del Balzo Bisacquino
The Feast of the Madonna del Balzo offers numerous opportunities to anyone who intends to experience it. The real highlight is represented by the actual procession, but it is possible to discover some features of a place that is truly full of charm, without limiting yourself to the religious significance of the context.
There is no shortage of important religious architecture, such as the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, Church of San Francesco di Paola and the convent of the Carmelite Order. Don't miss the either civic Museum, just as you can look out over the suggestive Monte Gesualdo.
How to reach Bisacquino
By car:, to reach the center of Bisacquino, just cross the Strada Statale 188 from Marsala to Lercara Friddi, while the closest motorway is the A29 at about 60 kilometres. By train, the support stations are located in Castelvetrano and Guadagna, respectively 40 and 45 kilometers away.
