Patronal Feast of Ficarra – Maria Santissima Assunta

The Procession following the ancient and precious simulacrum of Maria Santissima Annunziata it is the main event of the Patronal Feast of Ficarra, small Sicilian municipality in the north-eastern area of ​​the island, 450 meters above sea level in the Nebrodi Park.

This event, which is repeated in the town year after year with the faithful following the simulacrum of the Virgin, celebrates the memory of a miraculous event, which occurred 4 centuries earlier, when the statue of the Virgin was brought from Brolo to Ficarra.

In addition to the Procession, the Ficarra Patronal Festival is made up of other important moments, from Preparatory novena to the Commemoration of the miracle of Maria Santissima Annunziata in the Church, a commemoration that replaced the Procession of the Reliquary, stolen in 1978.

In total, there are three celebratory days dedicated in the town to Patron Saint.

The history of the Patronal Festival of Ficarra

The Patronal Festival of Ficarra is celebrated in the month of August and the entire community of faithful takes part in it with joy: in this period the village remembers a miraculous event, linked precisely to the Ficarra community.
It is said, in fact, that in 1507 a ship headed to Syracuse from Palermo carried the simulacrum of the Virgin in its hold and that, after a forced stop near Brolo, the simulacrum became so heavy that it could not be lifted by anyone, to be returned to his place on the ship. Only the inhabitants of Ficarra managed, while singing a song dedicated to the Virgin, to lift the simulacrum, thus also gaining the right to keep the statue for themselves, which they did by bringing the simulacrum to Ficarra.
Since 1957, the year in which Maria Santissima Annunziata was declared Queen of Ficarra, the town has celebrated the Patronal Feast with the traditional procession from the Sanctuary of the Annunziata to the Church of the Loggia.

When the Patronal Festival of Ficarra takes place

The Patronal Festival in Ficarra begins on August 3th at 8:00 and ends on August 5th with midnight; another celebratory day dedicated to the Patron Saint in the town is that of 23 March, the day in which the Virgin is remembered with a procession through the main streets of the centre.

Where the Patronal Festival of Ficarra takes place

The symbolic places of the Patronal Festival of Ficarra are the Sanctuary of the Annunziata, Church of the Loggia (not far from the entrance to the town) and the main ones streets of the center, in addition to the route followed by the Procession, from the Sanctuary to the Church.

What to do during the Patronal Festival of Ficarra

Those who are in Ficarra during the Patronal Festival period, or those who wish to organize a holiday in the village during these festive days, will be able to take part in the Procession, attend the Commemoration and participate in the Masses in honor of the Patron Saint, joining the local inhabitants who celebrate the miracle that in the sixteenth century gave Ficarra the right to bring the famous statue of Gagini to the town.
But during a stay in Ficarra, you will also have the opportunity to discover other beauties in this ancient place medieval center; in particular, we advise you to stroll through the fascinating streets of the historic centre, in search of the three main monuments of the town: the Mother Church, Convent , Prison Fortress.

The Mother Church (or Sanctuary of the Annunziata) was built in the XNUMXth century and the Convent in the XNUMXth century. The Prison Fortress is instead an ancient medieval manor, which in the XNUMXth century was converted into a prison, but today is home to the Medieval Toy Museum.

Also discover all the other beauties of this country, from Church of the Loggia to the Badia, admire the many noble palaces that adorn its heart and then, moving away from the center of Ficarra, also explore the surroundings: among the most interesting and nearby destinations, we recommend making a stop in Tindari o Brolo, while those who prefer to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature, the advice is to visit Capo d'Orlando or Nebrodi Park.

How to get to the Ficarra Patronal Festival

Ficarra, in the Metropolitan City of Messina, can be reached easily in the car via the A20 Messina-Buonfornello, exiting at the junction for Brolo-Capo d'Orlando Est, about 4 km from the town, or on the train, getting off at the Capo d'Orlando Naso station, to then reach the center 9 km away by bus or shuttle.