Assoro's Flight into Egypt

The medieval origins of the popular sacred vein characterize The Flight into Egypta representation that takes place every seven years in the small town of Assoro.

Starting in the early afternoon, the representation narrates the departure of the Holy Family to Egypt, accompanied by a choir sung by the Angels who see Mary on the back of the donkey and Joseph who indicates the way to escape Herod's persecution. During the escape there is the appearance of a group of brigands who gallop on horseback along the main road, via Crisa, breaking into Piazza Santa Croce where the sacred drama takes place in front of the population who attentively watch the unfolding of the narration which ends with the parade of the Holy Family accompanied by the choir sung by the brigands.

The story linked to the event The Flight into Egypt

It is a sacred representation which is a sort of chronicle that combines reality and legend by referring to the popular sacred vein of medieval origins. The event which it is possible to attend every seven years is faithful to the text written in the eighteenth century by the canon Don Pietro Vitale. Most likely originally, it was represented in the Assorino Sicilian vernacular also because it was the only means by which the sacred texts were disclosed when the Latin language was official. It's a people's party – who gets involved – which is held every seven years during the feast of Saint Joseph and affects the historic center of Assoro.
It is also known as the Casazza as the first performances by the English monks, who had the intention of divulging the sacred scriptures, had them recited without using the script and, therefore, at random.

When the Assoro Flight into Egypt event takes place

Assoro's Flight into Egypt is held every seven years in March. The last representation was the one celebrated in 2021.

Where the Assoro Flight into Egypt event takes place

The sacred drama Flight into Egypt by Assoro involves the medieval alleys of its historic center, ending in the ancient Piazza della Signoria, between the Valguarnera palace and the Basilica Leonina, amidst songs, firecrackers and the parade of actors on horseback.

What to do during the Flight into Egypt event in Assoro

Of very ancient origins, Assoro rises 900 meters above sea level on Mount La Stella where the first houses arose in the areas of San Giuliano and Seggio. Above these, in the Rito area, was built the Castle of which only a few ruins remain but quite significant. The Castle, built in the first half of the XNUMXth century in the middle of the Norman period, was designed by the same architect who built the Ursino Castle in Catania.

The fifteenth-century is worth a visit Church of San Leone, which became the first Matrix of the country and subsequently promoted to the rank of Basilica and National Monument for its artistic beauty.
The visit of the fifteenth century is interesting Church of Mercy. Do not miss a visit to the Church of the Holy Spirit and of the sixteenth century Church of Maria SS. of the Angels.
The fourteenth century is also stimulating Palace of the Signoria in Piazza Umberto I.

In the vicinity of Assoro we suggest the exploration of fraction of San Giorgio.

How to get to Assoro

By car:, for those arriving from Palermo or Catania, the easiest way is the A/19 motorway, exit Mulinello and take the SS 121. You will reach the provincial road 33 from which the town of Assoro is just 15 kilometers from the exit of the highway.