Patronal feast in Brolo di Maria Santissima Annunziata

In June Brolo, a small town in the Metropolitan City of Messina, lights up to celebrate its Patron Saint, Maria Santissima Annunziata. In the town there is a moment of great spiritual recollection, but also of celebrations involving the whole community, from civil authorities to children, for three days full of religious events, shows, sports and lots of sharing, all in the evocative atmosphere of Brolo, whose evenings are illuminated by the lights.
It already begins at the end of May, with the first day of celebrations in which in the evening, after mass, the enthronement of the image of Mary Most Holy takes place.

The following day is dedicated to the smallest of the town: the children of theOratory of Brolo they challenge each other in fun football, tennis, volleyball tournaments, but they also enjoy older games, typical of the Sicilian tradition; in the evening, adults and children participate in the Calamarata and receive ice creams offered by local bars and pastry shops.
On the third day various masses are celebrated in honor of the patron saint and in the afternoon the whole town joins in a procession to bring the Statue of the Madonna through the streets of the centre: the village band also participates in the procession. At the end of the procession, the evening and the party close with a night of shows and fireworks.

The history of the feast of Maria Santissima Annunziata in Brolo

The Patronal Festival in Brolo is an event organized by the volunteers of the Parish, in collaboration with the Municipality and the Tourism Department of the Sicily Region. Although in recent years the feast had been celebrated in the month of March, recently the religious community has brought the patronal feast back to its origins, celebrating Mary Most Holy in the month of June.
In the village the patron saint is dedicated Church of Maria SS. Announced, built in 1764 and where today the most important religious services in the country are celebrated.

When the feast of Maria Santissima Annunziata takes place in Brolo

The Patronal Festival in Brolo begins on May 30th and continues until June 2nd. Each day is marked by the performance of religious and social activities that unite the community in celebrations.
The party opens with the enthronement of Virgin Mary, after Mass at 19:00 on the last day of May and ends with fireworks on the night of June 2nd.

Where the feast of Maria Santissima Annunziata takes place in Brolo

Brolo is located on the northern coast of Sicily, in the Metropolitan City of Messina, which is about 80 km away.
The celebrations of the Patron Saint take place in the village: streets, squares and of course there Mother Church they are ready to welcome the faithful in procession and all visitors who wish to participate in this engaging moment of spiritual sharing.
The most important places of the Festival are the Church of Maria Santissima Annunziata in Via Vittorio Emanuele III, in the center of the town, Via Nazionale where the children meet to play and Piazza Roma and where you can taste the local delicacies offered by the organizers, bars and local pastry shops.

What to do during the feast of Maria Santissima Annunziata in Brolo and surroundings

In Brolo, during the days of the Patronal Feast, there are many activities to do in the town, involving adults and children. A perfect destination also for families, therefore, who want to experience the festive atmosphere that reigns in Sicily more closely, when it comes to the Patron Saint.
Celebrating the Patroness with the local community is an opportunity to learn about ancient customs and traditions, but also to experience moments of spiritual recollection. Those who wish can participate in the liturgical celebrations in the Church, follow the statue of the Madonna in procession and attend the entertaining shows that characterize these evenings in Brolo.

During the days dedicated to the Patron Saint, then, you can also discover the village of Brolo: here, in addition to the Church, you can visit the Castle. Located on a promontory overlooking the splendid Sicilian sea, the Castle was the home of Princess Bianca Lancia, consort of Frederick II. There are also several noble palaces that can be admired in the town.
From Brolo, you can reach the San Gregorio beach, just 7 km in the direction Capo D'Orlando, where you can also visit the Faro. Along the Tyrrhenian coast, there are numerous beaches where you can stop for a swim in the summer or a romantic walk in the winter.

Heading inland, however, you arrive at Nebrodi Park, which can be reached in about an hour and a half by car. Inside, you can make wonderful excursions, trekking and birdwatching. It is also advisable to taste the famous local cheeses, which can be purchased at markets or farm holidays.
Speaking of food, in Brolo you can find excellent pastry shops where you can taste Sicilian sweets, but also ice creams and granitas. Typical local dishes to try are mussels au gratin, swordfish rolls and beccafico sardines. To bring home, instead, there are the salami of the Nebrodi, very tasty and genuine, such as black pig salami and capocollo, ham, but also fresh bread and preserves.

How to get to the feast of Maria Santissima Annunziata in Brolo

Brolo, in the province of Messina, can be reached by car thanks to the Panoramic Road that runs alongside the Tyrrhenian Sea, both from Messina and Palermo.
Travelers arriving by train can buy a ticket to the Capo d'Orlando-Naso stop and then continue for about 7,5 km by bus until they reach Brolo.