The Katabba in Monforte San Giorgio

Discovering Sicily means not only visiting its most important places, but also visiting the lesser-known but no less fascinating villages, such as Monforte San Giorgio. In this village in the Messina area one of the most evocative traditions in the whole of Sicily takes place: it is the Katabba, linked to the re-enactment of a historical event that marked the fate of the entire territory.

What is Katabba

Katabba is one mix of sounds that go to recall l'arrival of the Norman prince Roger I: from the church of Sant'Agata the bell while the player of a drum gives life to the drummed and everything happens for twenty days at dawn and dusk.

The Katabba is repeated every day, giving life to over 25 different sounds, first recalling the fast pace of the king's messenger and gradually the rhythm increases to simulate the gallop of the steeds and the ferocious battle. The sound then decreases until it becomes almost silent, recalling the horrors of war and then becomes more urgent again, when it recalls the Arabs put to flight by the Normans. It then flows into a festive jubilation remembering the population who welcomes the liberating prince, on the back of a camel, within the walls of Monforte San Giorgio.

Every weekend, until February 5th, the "Medieval Days of Monforte San Giorgio", during which the Sicilian town literally goes back into amedieval atmosphere, with figures in period clothing. There is no shortage of flag-wavers, knights, ladies, jugglers, fakirs and jesters: there is also the Minting Workshop where the ancient Guiscardo Dinar coin is forged, without forgetting the stands where you can taste delicacies such as bread and porcum. To conclude the party there is the Grand Historical Procession, which recalls the entry of Roger I with his court.

The story behind the Katabba

Behind the Katabba, which every year animates Monforte San Giorgio, there is an important historical event that has marked the fate of this corner of Sicily. In fact, it is recalled liberation of the town, at that time occupied by the Arabs, by the Normans led by Roger I of Altavilla. The sovereign put an end to enemy oppression after liberating Roccavaldina, Venetico and Rometta, baptizing them all with the name MonsFortis or MonsFortius. This nickname, in light of what the geographer Al Idris reports, refers to the heroic resistance that the people put up against the Arabs, awaiting the arrival of the liberators.

When the Katabba takes place

The Katabba begins on 17st January and, until 5 February, performs daily sounds, at 6:00 in the morning and at 19:00 in the afternoon.
Le Medieval Days of Monforte San Giorgio take place at the end of January, on days that are decided from time to time by the organizers.

Where the event takes place

The Katabba takes place in the heart of the historic center of Monforte San Giorgio, among its characteristic alleys where bells and drums ring out. Piazza IV Novembre is the final destination of the historical procession and it is here that the keys are handed over to the figure of King Roger I and the Fire of Christianity is lit. Everything happens in front of the Church of San Giorgio, commissioned by the sovereign Roger the Norman himself.

What to do during the event

Katabba is an unmissable opportunity to visit the village of Monforte San Giorgio, starting from it Church of St. George, inside which there is a sixteenth-century polyptych of the Virgin enthroned among saints. Also worth seeing, a stone's throw from a panoramic terrace overlooking the Tyrrhenian coast, is the Baroque Church of Jesus and Mary, with a beautiful altarpiece by Camarda inside. Dominating the village, next to the remains of the Castle, There is the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Crispino, with inside a beautiful statue of the Madonna del Bambino created by the sculptor Antonello Gagioni.

How to get to Monforte San Giorgio

To reach Monforte San Giorgio by car, you need to take the A20 which connects Palermo to Messina and exit at Rometta, then follow the signs for the village. However, traveling along the A18 Catania-Messina, you must exit at Roccalumera or Messina Sud.