Feast of Ecce Homo in Sclafani Bagni

La patronal feast of the Sicilian village of Sclafani Bagni is the one entitled toEcce Homo. There is little news that tells of the origin of the event and the history of this tradition, but still today the festival attracts many tourists and onlookers to the village, especially the inhabitants of the village who have long since moved elsewhere for work reasons. For those wishing to take part in the event, here's everything you need to know about Ecce Homo festival in Sclafani Bagni.

Description of the Ecce Homo festival in Sclafani Bagni

The Ecce Homo festival in Sclafani Bagni is of uncertain origin but it is certainly a very important appointment of faith. The event has a religious nature, so the most important part of it is represented by procession which leads in triumph through the streets of the historic center Ecce Homo statue. In addition to spiritual activities, such as the collective blessing, the holy mass, the adoration of the chaplet, there are also aspects more related to folklore, such as the music and cabaret shows that are organized in the evenings of the festive period, to offer a 360-degree entertainment for the participating public. The festival ends with an enthralling show of fireworks, organized every year by different master stokers.

The story linked to the patronal feast of Sclafani Bagni

The origins of the patronal feast are very uncertain because there is no official document that can give more information on the subject. The only thing that is known is linked to the statue of Ecce Homo whose construction dates back to the 1867th century. Initially the work was kept inside the convent of the Poor Clares which was located in Sclafani Bagni, then in XNUMX the monastery was suppressed and the statue was taken inside the mother church, where it is still kept today. The great devotion of the faithful towards this holy figure has led over the centuries to the establishment of the feast.

When the Ecce Homo festival takes place in Sclafani Bagni

you hold thelast Sunday of June but the date has been changed several times to meet the needs of the village.

Where the Ecce Homo festival takes place in Sclafani Bagni

The Ecce Homo festival in Sclafani Bagni involves the whole Old Town since its climax is reached when the statue kept in the mother church is carried in triumph.

What to do during the Ecce Homo festival in Sclafani Bagni

Taking part in the Ecce Homo festival in Sclafani Bagni can be the right excuse to discover this beautiful village up close. All the Old Town it tastes a lot medieval, so walking through its narrow streets can be a beautiful experience.

Here you will be able to discover some monuments such as the mother church, which is entitled to Santa Maria Assunta, the seat in which the statue of Ecce Homo is kept. Among the religious structures that deserve a mention there are also the Church of St. James And that of San Filippo, dating internally but already existing in 1572. One of the most important points of attraction, however, is certainly represented by the natural baths: once there was a thermal complex, now in disuse, but a free natural swimming pool can still be used, just outside the town. Also worth visiting castle of Sclafani Bagni, fortress located on top of the rock just outside the town.

How to get to Sclafani Bagni

One of the peculiarities of the historic village of Sclafani Bagni is that it cannot be traveled by cars, given that its narrow streets climb the slopes of the mountains and do not allow the passage of cars. For this reason, after reaching the foot of the village along the A19 that connects Palermo to Catania, with the same Scillato or Tremonzelli exit, it will then be necessary to continue first for Caltavuturo and immediately after for Sclafani Bagni, if you want to visit the thermal baths. For the historic village, on the other hand, it will be necessary to leave the car just outside and continue on foot.