The patronal feast of San Sebastiano a Graniti

San Sebastiano is the patron saint of Graniti, a small Sicilian town in the Metropolitan City of Messina. The Patronal Festival in Graniti is an event that brings together the entire local religious community and also welcomes tourists who stay in the municipality and its surroundings during the summer season.
The Festa is a highly anticipated event by the faithful of Graniti, who have been preparing for the occasion since the early days of month of August. Some of them will carry the statue of the Patron Saint through the alleys of the town and then, here they are preparing for the Procession with training sessions and shouts of encouragement.

The same cries that are repeated every year, while the Patron Saint is carried on shoulders throughout the town: "whoever loves him most, calls him louder, long live "San Sebastian" shout the inhabitants of Graniti, almost in a competition to see who calls him louder.

When the day of the Procession arrives, the procession leaves from the Church of San Sebastiano and returns there in the evening, accompanied by the festive attentions of the faithful with their cries and by the fireworks that light up this Sicilian night.
However, the Patronal Festival in Graniti is traditionally also celebrated with a goods fair in the month of January, the first Sunday closest to the day of the Patron Saint, which is January 20th.

The history of the patronal feast in Graniti

San Sebastiano is the Patron Saint of Graniti and the Church built in 1933 is dedicated to him on the ruins of an already existing religious building.
The Patronal Festival in Graniti is an event that involves both the religious community and the civil authorities, without forgetting the entrepreneurs, who are dedicated to organizing the festival with great professionalism: the Municipality of Graniti celebrates the Patron Saint together with the Bearers of San Sebastiano, while the pyrotechnic displays that greet the Saint's exit and return to his Church are made by professionals.

The community's devotion to San Sebastiano has deep roots in Graniti: the first traces of the presence of a chapel dedicated to the saint in the village date back to the mid-XNUMXth century.

When the patronal feast of San Sebastiano takes place in Graniti

The day of San Sebastiano, as the Christian calendar reminds us, is January 20: on this occasion the goods fair takes place in Graniti, on the Sunday closest to the indicated date; however, the Patronal Festival in Graniti takes place every year on the first Sunday of August and, as always, is eagerly awaited by all the faithful of the community.

Where the patronal feast of San Sebastiano takes place in Graniti

The cult of San Sebastiano is also well rooted in the topography of Graniti; in fact, the celebrations of the Patron begin with the exit of the simulacrum from the Church of San Sebastiano, located on the homonymous square. The Procession then continues through the streets and alleys of the centre.

What to do during the patronal feast in Graniti

The Patronal Festival in Graniti is the perfect opportunity to get to know the inhabitants of the town better: make friends, observe their devotion, but also gather in prayer and rejoice with them in the Procession that shouts one's love for the Patron Saint.

In Graniti, San Sebastiano is really much loved and for the occasion, in addition of course being able to attend Mass in the Church, you can also admire the Church itself, dedicated to the Patron Saint.

By visiting Graniti on the occasion of the Patronal Feast, tourists arriving on the island can take advantage of this festive event to spend a few days in the village: here there is no shortage of attractions to visit and the surroundings are also rich in natural and architectural beauties.

The Murales are famous in Graniti and from here you can reach the Pietrarossa pine forest, while just 10 km from the town there is a real spectacle offered by nature in the Alcantara Gorges, where you canexcursions, birdwatching and tastings of excellent local wines. Among the animals that can be seen in this magnificent natural area are dormice and weasels, but looking up and with a little luck, you can also admire the golden eagle.
Inside the park there are paths suitable for everyone and those who want can venture out for a ride on a mountain bike.

Among the natural beauties of the area, we also mention the Etna park and Nebrodi Park, where you can make wonderful excursions.
Heading towards the coast, just 23 km away, you arrive in the beautiful Taormina, where a stop on the beach and a visit to the Greek Theater, symbol of the city, cannot be missed.

When you arrive in Sicily, you cannot pay attention to the line: the food, delicious and plentiful, can be found practically everywhere.
Among the typical dishes from the area we remember the ricotta meatballs and the Messina-style stockfish, as well as of course the Sicilian cannoli and almond paste. Try them in Graniti's restaurants! If, on the other hand, you are looking for excellent cold cuts and cheeses to take home, the extra suggestion is to go there at the Nebrodi land market: a slightly longer journey, but in less than two hours you will arrive at the real market of taste.

How can you get to the patronal feast of San Sebastiano in Graniti

Graniti, in the Metropolitan City of Messina, can be easily reached from all the main Sicilian towns. The town is about 70 km from the Strait.
In the car, it is advisable to take the A18 Messina-Catania to the Taormina exit and continue for the next 7,5 km in the direction of Graniti, following the signs; who travels on the train, however, can get off at Taormina Station and continue the journey to the center with the public buses that serve the area.