Feast of San Giovanni Battista in Milazzo

La Feast of San Giovanni Battista in Milazzo it's a religious event, which traditionally takes place in June. In the Sicilian summer, the large municipality of the Metropolitan City of Messina welcomes inhabitants and tourists for the Party in Milazzo: the central event of the festival is the Procession, during which the faithful carry the Statue of San Giovanni Battista through the streets of the municipality.

The Saint is represented by a very old papier-mâché statue, dating back to the 1700s; placed on a fercolo with wheels, the simulacrum is carried by the faithful through the streets of the centre, but every now and then the cart stops and the statue is carried on the shoulders of devoted faithful. Meanwhile, in Milazzo the atmosphere of celebration lights up: lights, music, games for children fill the main streets of the town, while in the evening there is a triumph of fireworks.

The Nativity of San Giovanni, however, is also celebrated in the days preceding the procession, with the triduum of preparation and already Piazza San Giovanni which is festively decorated.

Sweet event that accompanies the religious festival is then the Chocolate Festival, which takes place on the day of the Feast of San Giovanni and brings many sugary delicacies to try. The religious event then joins the popular tradition in the dances in the square.

The Festa in Milazzo culminates in the Eucharistic celebration of the Nativity of St. John, with the Mass in the Church.
Spiritual recollection, music and taste await all the participants in the Milazzo Festival.

The history of the feast of San Giovanni Battista in Milazzo

The devotion of the faithful of Milazzo towards San Giovanni Battista is testified by the St. John's Church, dedicated to the Saint by the priest Amodeo in the second half of the XNUMXth century. In this church there is another eighteenth-century statue, which depicts the Baptist, as well as a beautiful painting which recalls him at the feet of the Madonna.

The Church, built in 1678, was restructured and re-evaluated in 2000 by the activity of the San Giovanni Battista Committee, set up at the time precisely to take over the fate of the building; from a simple restructuring, the Committee's care for the Church soon became a true dedication and the members of the group also began to take care of community events in the municipality, just like the Feast of San Giovanni Battista.

When the party takes place in Milazzo

San Giovanni Battista is celebrated, as in all of Italy, on June 24th; however, in Sicily and precisely in Milazzo, the Nativity of the Saint is remembered and celebrated with numerous festive events even before this date. Usually, the celebrations begin on June 22nd.

Where the feast of Saint John the Baptist takes place in Milazzo

In Piazza San Giovanni, at the church of the same name, the main attractions of the festival take place, such as stands and fireworks; the procession winds along the streets of the center and the function in memory of the Saint is held in the Church of San Giovanni Battista.

What to do during the feast of San Giovanni Battista in Milazzo

The Festa in Milazzo is a religious event and at the same time an opportunity to discover the local community and have fun together; take part in Procession and listen to Mass in honor of San Giovanni Battista, constitute two particular spiritual moments that can enrich a short holiday in Sicily. Naturally, during the procession you will also be able to admire the streets of the centre, to which you can return to discover its beauties. In the Church of San Giovanni, where the Eucharistic celebration takes place, one can also admire the statues and decorations that embellish the religious building. During the celebrations, a stop at the Chocolate Festival cannot be forgotten.

In the surroundings of Milazzo there are many other attractions to visit, for those who leave from Piazza San Giovanni: the Castle, a large and mighty fortress located just 2 km from the city, the Archaeological Museum of the Antiquarium D. Ryolo, not far away and the Castle of Santa Lucia del Mela, are among the main civil architectures of the small peninsula in the Tyrrhenian Sea; among the religious buildings the Church of Santo Stefano Protomartire stands out with its high bell tower and the Convent Sanctuary of Sant'Antonio da Padova is also remembered, while those who love nature or prefer the sea, in Milazzo will find both . Going to the Ponente beach you can swim in the wonderful sea of ​​Sicily, while reaching Milazzo you will have a splendid panoramic view.

Less than 40 km from Milazzo is Messina, a large city where you can admire the Duomo, the Astronomical Clock and the San Jachiddu Ecological Park, in addition to the countless other architectural beauties of the city, where it is absolutely recommended to make a stop, if you stay in Milazzo.
Among the most interesting Sicilian monuments there are those of gastronomy: tasting the local dishes will be a real pleasure for visitors, who will be able to taste an authentic Sicilian cannolo, taste seafood appetizers such as squid stuffed with couscous or, for those who prefer meat, try the stuffed leg of lamb.
The Sicilian welcome also passes from the table.

How to get to the feast of St. John the Baptist in Milazzo

The Festa a Milazzo is held in Piazza San Giovanni.
To get to Milazzo, along the Tyrrhenian coast about 38 km from Messina, you can travel by car or train.
Motorists can take the A20 by exiting at the Milazzo tollbooth, while those traveling by carriage can get off at the Milazzo station.