Patronal feast in Scaletta Zanclea – Santa Maria del Carmelo

One of the most important manifestations of this village in the province of Messina and the feast of Santa Maria del Carmelo in Scaletta Superiore, the figure that was chosen as patroness of the city. On this occasion, the streets of the village are once again populated by many people, especially those who have moved elsewhere for work but do not want to miss this evocative moment, but also numerous visitors.
Here, then, is all the information you need to take part in the patronal feast in Scaletta Zanclea.

Description of the patronal in Scaletta Zanclea

The patronal feast in Scaletta Zanclea is a moment that links faith to folklore. There Patron saint of the city he has always been an extremely venerated figure and in his honor a solemn procession is organized which starts from the mother church and then branches off through all the narrow streets of the centre.
La procession is accompanied by the crowd of faithful singing hymns to the Madonna to thank you for the protection granted and for any graces obtained. In parallel, in many squares of the historic center there are food and wine stands and handicraft products in order to let visitors discover the culinary tradition of a very beautiful area of ​​Sicily but quite detached from the flows of mass tourism.

The story linked to the feast of Santa Maria del Carmelo in Scaletta Superiore

The history of the feast of Santa Maria del Carmelo in Scaletta Superiore is very ancient given that the population has always paid its personal tribute to the sacred figure. However, an official starting date, if we can call it that, is 1537 when a Carmelite convent was erected in the hamlet of Fiumedinisi, who obviously brought with them all their traditions, including the cult of Santa Maria del Carmelo. In 1884, then, the Saint officially became the first patron of San Teresa di Riva and then also co-patron of Scaletta Zanclea. From that moment on, we worked tirelessly, edition after edition, to make the celebrations ever more grandiose.

When the patronal takes place in Scaletta Zanclea

The patronal feast in Scaletta Zanclea is held every year on 16 July, the day on which the Catholic Church wants to celebrate the figure.

Where the patronal feast takes place in Scaletta Zanclea

The event involves the entire village of Scaletta Zanclea given that the most important moment of the event is that of the procession that touches every street, especially in the historic centre.

What to do during the patronal feast in Scaletta Zanclea

Those who go to the village to take part in the patronal festival in Scaletta Zanclea will also be able to take advantage of the opportunity to discover some enchanting aspects of this small town. In particular, one of the most representative monuments is certainly the Castle, which is a fortification from the Norman era, with a perfectly preserved three-story structure. Today it houses the Ethno-Anthropological Museum which houses numerous artifacts that want to tell the history of the village. A visit to the can't be missed Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, found in the fraction of Scaletta Marina, and which dates back to 1852. In the immediate vicinity you can admire the remains of what was once Palazzo Ruffo, the official residence of the local lords. Finally, don't miss the Church of Our Lady of the Letter, built in 1687.

How to get to Scaletta Zanclea

Taking part in the patronal feast in Scaletta Zanclea is very simple if you decide to travel to the locality with your own car auto. From Messina it is sufficient to take the SS114 while from Catania the road indicated is the A18 and then continue on the E45. From Palermo and Trapani, on the other hand, you have to take the A20 and then take the E90 to your destination, while from Syracuse the shortest route is the one that includes the E45. Finally, from Enna you must choose the A19 motorway and then end the route on the usual E45.

Scaletta Zanclea is also equipped with its own railway station located on the Messina–Syracuse line. There is no shortage of local buses, supplied by the AST company, which connect the village to the main cities of Sicily.