Feast of Sant'Antonio in Maletto

Il Patron Saint of Maletto, a municipality of 3.600 inhabitants in the Metropolitan City of Catania, is Saint Anthony of Padua, which is celebrated in September. A religious and popular event that nobody in the village wants to give up.

The highlight of the whole Feast of Sant'Antonio in Maletto it is the evening procession during which all the faithful accompany the simulacrum of the Saint through the streets of the town, together with the local authorities who join in the journey.

The Festival in the village is deeply felt and is certainly the most important event for the local religious community; for this reason, all visitors who are in Maletto and its surroundings in the month of September are invited to the Church to participate in the Feast and Solemn Mass in honor of Sant'Antonio da Padova.

The history of the Feast of Sant'Antonio in Maletto

The story that links Sant'Antonio da Padova with the village of Maletto begins hundreds of years ago, in the 1650th century. The link seems to have arisen from a nefarious event, i.e. from the lava flow that buried the nearby town of Bronte in XNUMX, prompting the faithful to carry the simulacrum of Sant'Antonio in procession, to try to miraculously block the lava. However, failing in their intent, the faithful of Bronte had to abandon the simulacrum in the countryside and flee. When the lava stopped its progress, the statue was found and taken to Maletto, where Sant'Antonio was welcomed as the Patron Saint and protector of the town. To the legend is added the story, which has as protagonists Sant'Antonio da Padova and Prince Muzio Spadafora Moncada V who, in the second half of the eighteenth century, had a church built under his castle and dedicated it to the Saint of Padua.

When the Feast of Sant'Antonio takes place in Maletto

The Feast of Sant'Antonio in Maletto takes place in second Sunday of September. The Procession that characterizes this day starts at nightfall.

Where the Feast of Sant'Antonio in Maletto takes place

The Procession in honor of Sant'Antonio da Padova in Maletto crosses the main streets of the town; the Solemn Mass dedicated to the Patron Saint is held in the Church dedicated to him, in Via Sant'Antonio.

What to do during the Feast of Sant'Antonio in Maletto

In Maletto during the Feast of Sant'Antonio you follow the Procession, attend Mass and pray with the local faithful; but once the party is over, you stay in the village to discover all the beauties of this small centre: among the sacred buildings of the village, in addition to the Church of Sant'Antonio da Padova, also visit the Church of the Madonna del Carmelo, rural church of the late nineteenth century, the Church of San Michele, the oldest dating back to the XNUMXth century, the Church of St. Joseph, at the highest point of the country and the Mother Church, built between 1857 and 1877; don't forget to also pass by Salvo Nibali Civic Museum, a place to discover the culture and history of Maletto and its very ancient origins, which have their roots in the XNUMXth millennium BC

Near Maletto there is no shortage of tourist attractions such as the Museo del Carretto Siciliano Gullotti a Bronte, (13 km from the village) while Nelson Castle is only 10 km away. For a stop at the beach, finally reach Taormina, about an hour by car: the spectacle of the sea is really worth the whole journey!

In eastern Sicily you can enjoy the excellent cuisine of Catania, taste the real eggplant caponata and Sicilian spaghetti, try cassata and almond paste, or let yourself be surprised by the sweet couscous.

How to get to the Feast of Sant'Antonio in Maletto

Maletto is located in the Metropolitan City of Catania, in eastern Sicily, at an altitude of about 960 meters above sea level. Getting to the town is not difficult, whether traveling by car or by train.

Who arrives in the car, can take the A18 Messina-Catania and take the exit for Fiumefreddo, about 29 km from the centre, continuing to follow the road signs up to the town; who travels on the train, can get off at the Giarre-Riposto station, which is 30 km from Maletto. The village can be reached by bus and shuttle directly from the station.