Feast of San Rocco in Alì Terme

San Rocco is the patron saint of the village of Alì which is located in the province of Messina. Every year the great festival is dedicated to him which is celebrated in August on the occasion of his anniversary and which mixes together the sacred and the profane, for an appointment much loved by all the inhabitants of the village and beyond.

Here, then, is all the information and news that can be useful to those who decide to take part in the Feast of San Rocco in Alì Terme.

Description of the feast of San Rocco in Alì Terme

The feast of San Rocco is actually the celebration of the day of the Patron saint. During this occasion some rituals are celebrated such as the holy mass in honor of the Saint, the procession with his statue in triumph as well as the blessing of dogs, which is one of the fixed appointments.
Alongside the more religious aspect, however, there is also another absolutely folkloristic aspect stand of typical products and sweets, musical performances, handicraft products and the inevitable fireworks which are an unmissable event for all those present and for the numerous visitors who participate in the event every year.

The story linked to the feast of San Rocco in Alì Terme

The exact date on which the feast of San Rocco was established in Alì Terme is not known, but legend has it that the cult of the patron saint was born after the discovery, in an abandoned chest on the beach of the village, of a small statue represented the saint. This statue, which took the name of Santu Roccu Picciriddu, actually exists and is still kept today in the parish dedicated to him. From some historical documents, then, information has been obtained that the cult for Rocco was prior to the seventeenth century and probably the custom of celebrating the saint was born in that period.

When the feast of San Rocco takes place in Alì Terme

The Feast of San Rocco is held every year on August 16th because this is the date on which the Catholic Church celebrates its day. For this reason, the celebrations are concentrated above all on this anniversary, even if there is no shortage of appointments that are held in the previous days.

Where the feast of San Rocco takes place in Alì Terme

The feast of San Rocco in Alì Terme involves the entire city area because one of the main moments of the celebration is the procession that runs along both the seafront and Via Crispi and then ends in Piazza Beata Maddalena Morano where the blessing is made. Finally, on the waterfront, there are fireworks at the end of the event.

What to do during the party in Alì Terme

Alì Terme is a small village, known above all for the beauty of its coasts and the presence of thermal waters which feed the centers of Granata-Cassibile and Marino, where there are facilities for rehabilitation, well-being and relaxation.

However, those who decide to go to Alì Terme to take part in the patronal feast, will also be able to take advantage of the opportunity to get to know some very suggestive corners such as the Medieval Tower, also known as Saracen Toweras well as the Church of San Rocco, inside which is precisely the statue that is carried in procession during the festivities. Finally, it should be noted that on the occasion of the Holy Easter in Ali Terme the event is organizedfloral display as well as the procession linked to the Passion of Christ.

How to get to Ali Terme

By car:, those who come from Messina and want to reach the village of Alì Terme to take part in the feast of San Rocco, can do so through the SS114 while those who come from Palermo and Trapani can first take the A20 and then continue on the E90 to their destination .
From Catania it is advisable to follow the A18 and then the E45, from Syracuse the E45 and from Enna first the A19 and then the E932.

Alì Terme has its own railway station which is located on the Messina-Syracuse section, so it is very easy to reach the village even on the train. Finally, the connections via local buses provided by the AST company are always active.