Patronal Feast of San Michele Arcangelo in Motta Camastra

The patronal feast in Motta Camastra is dedicated to San Michele Arcangelo and is a deeply felt appointment not only by the faithful but also by all those who are interested in that mix of religiosity and folklore that makes each such appointment unique. Here, then, is all the information that can be useful for participating in the celebration and what not to miss during the event.

Description of the patronal feast in Motta Camastra

San Michele Arcangelo is the patron saint of Motta Camastra, a small town in the province of Messina, famous for Alcantara Gorges. Precisely for this reason, every year a festival is organized which lasts for one day and which alternates moments of religious celebration with others which, on the other hand, want to lead to the rediscovery of the territory.
Alongside the religious processions in honor of the saint that start from the church named after him, there are moments dedicated to food and wine, local crafts but also popular traditions, for example with the organization of costume parades and historical reconstructions. Precisely for this reason, the appointment attracts thousands of visitors every year from all over Sicily and beyond, also because it falls in a period generally dedicated to holidays, therefore the catchment area is very large.

The story related to the event

The origins of the event are not known but it is probable that it started on the initiative of the faithful, given that the figure of theArchangel Gabriel it has always been very dear to the Christian religion.
Today the event is an opportunity not only to honor the figure of the saint but also to be able to make known to a very large public the excellence of a land that is rich in history and culture but is also a point of reference for as regards food and wine and crafts.
Over time, the Patronal Festival of San Michele Arcangelo in Motta Camastra has also been enriched with a more folkloristic aspect, with the organization of historical reconstructions and parades in costume.

When the Patronal Festival takes place in Motta Camastra

Traditionally, the patronal feast in Motta Camastra is held on the third Sunday of August, so its date can vary from year to year. In reality, however, there are numerous appointments that precede it and that in some way can be included in this great event for which the people of Motte work an entire year.
It should be emphasized that the Motta Camastra calendar is full of events throughout the year, both from a religious and cultural point of view, but the patronal feast is one of the most heartfelt moments and attracts a large participation.

Where the event takes place

The Patronal Festival of San Michele Arcangelo in Motta Camastra involves the entire locality. Surely the celebrations start from the church of San Michele Arcangelo, in via Chiesa Madre, in the center of the town, but it is just the starting point of an event that does not exclude any corner of this beautiful town in the province of Messina.

What to do during the patronal feast in Motta Camastra

To better understand the Patronal Feast of San Michele Arcangelo in Motta Camastra, one must imagine a great event where religious and folkloristic celebrations are closely intertwined.
During the event, a solemn mass is celebrated in honor of the patron saint and then his statue is carried around the city, so as to allow the faithful to pay homage. The procession, however, is not alone but is accompanied by the town's musical band and often also by extras who want to bring visitors back to medieval times.

During the day dedicated to San Michele Arcangelo, then, many stands are set up offering the excellence of the agri-food production of the area and you can taste typical local dishes such as busiati with pork ragout or i cucciddateddi, the lardu chinu and prickly pears seasoned with Marsala.
Visitors will also find many local handicraft products among the stands. Furthermore, musical appointments are organized with local and non-local artists as well as traveling theater performances, often with a historical theme. On the Sundays preceding the appointment with the patronal feast of Motta Camastra, it is possible to join one of the guided tours which aim to lead users to discover the beauties of the town.

Recommended activities for a tour of the Alcantara Gorges

How to get to Motta Camastra

Visitors who decide to participate in the Walnut Festival in Motta Camastra can reach the town in various ways. First of all, they can use their own car, taking the A18 motorway from both Messina and Catania, with the exit at Fiume Freddo or at Giardini di Naxos. Those who prefer the train, on the other hand, will have to travel a more complex route since the town does not have a station and the closest ones are Taormina or Santa Teresa di Riva. In both cases it is then possible to take advantage of the local bus service to reach Motta Camastra.