Feast of the Immaculate Virgin in Nizza di Sicilia

Traditionally, the feast of the Immaculate Virgin is celebrated on 8 December and the one organized in Nizza di Sicilia is no exception. However, in this locality there is another type of celebration, which is instead organized in the summer and which takes place every five years: it is the Feast of the Immaculate Madonna in Nizza di Sicilia: here's everything you need to know to take part.

Description of the Feast of the Immaculate Virgin in Nizza di Sicilia

Those who usually frequent this place know it well. There are two events that respond to the name of Feast of the Immaculate Madonna in Nizza di Sicilia: the first is held on 8 December every year and provides for the organization of a procession with the statue of the Madonna; the second instead is held every five years and has its main moment in the procession to the sea since it is held between July and August.

The Madonna shares with St. Joseph the burden of being the patroness of the locality in the province of Messina, so it was quite natural to decide to dedicate special events in her honor, in order to underline even more the importance of her figure and the adoration that the inhabitants of Nizza di Sicilia have towards him. From edition to edition, then, the appointment has been enriched with other corollary events, to attract a very large and varied public and to make the traditions of the place even better known.

The story linked to the Feast of the Immaculate Virgin in Nizza di Sicilia

The relationship between Nizza di Sicilia, its population and the Immaculate Madonna has always been very close, so much so that the faithful have also dedicated one of the most important churches in the village to her, the one known as the church of the Annunziata.

Precisely for this reason the habit of organizing a solemn procession on the day dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, December 8, is present since the nineteenth centurywhen the first structure was built. In that same period, however, fishermen too began to claim their own event to pay homage to the figure of the Madonna who had always protected them when the sea was stormy.

Hence the custom, which has come down to the present day, of having two unmissable appointments: the first in December and the second in August.

When the Feast of the Immaculate Madonna takes place in Nizza di Sicilia

The Feast of the Immaculate Madonna in Nizza di Sicilia, also known by the name of Ranni party, is held in the week between July and August, so to know the precise dates it is always advisable to consult the official calendar of the event. It has a total duration of five days since the calendar is full of appointments, therefore a day is dedicated to each of them.

The highlight of the celebration is certainly represented by the last day, when the procession by sea is held with the statue of the Madonna which is hoisted onto a boat and goes around the gulf to then be brought back inside the church where everything is kept. the year. The Feast of the Immaculate Madonna in Nizza di Sicilia is not, however, an annual event but is held every five years, precisely to underline its importance even more.

Where the event takes place

Obviously the celebrations for the Feast of the Immaculate Virgin in Nizza di Sicilia start from the Church of the Annunziata, where the statue is kept. From here the fishermen leave and carry it in procession to the dock where a boat ready for the tour awaits it.

The fishermen are traditionally inhabitants of a district of Nizza di Sicilia which is called Ciumaredda and which is located in the northern part of the outskirts of the town, therefore the statue makes a very long tour before reaching the sea. For the rest of the event, the entire village is involved as each area is dedicated to an activity, such as the game tournament or the food and wine stands.

What to do during the Feast of the Immaculate Virgin in Nizza di Sicilia

There are many appointments that make up the celebration, so the visitor is spoiled for choice to understand which of these might be the one of interest to him. Obviously most visitors arrive in Nizza di Sicilia to see the procession at sea which then culminates with fireworks being fired as the boat with the statue travels the last stretch of sea before returning to port.

Among the other suggestive and engaging activities in which you can take part is the palio of the districts, during which the teams made up of participants of all ages and distinguished by the district of residence compete in games, competitions and much more, both on the beach than in the rest of the country. The area most affected by this event is Casapinta where some historical games are held such as tug of war, the maypole and the pignateddi.

Even the sweet tooth will find bread for their teeth, with many stands food and wine which offer local cuisine but also the fish festival, obviously one of the most typical specialties of Nizza di Sicilia and of the entire coast.

How to get to Nice of Sicily

To arrive by car from Catania, the reference motorway is the A18 with exit at Roccalumera or Taormina. It is also possible to reach your destination from Messina, but in this case the reference road is the A20 with the San Filippo or Gazzi exit. For those who prefer the train on the national route, the closest station to Nizza di Sicilia is that of Santa Teresa di Riva, less than 7 km away, from which you can then proceed with a bus service, always made available by Rfi . Regional trains, on the other hand, stop right in Nizza di Sicilia and are always supplied by Rfi.