Festival in Francavilla di Sicilia: the gold of Alcantara

L'oro dell'Alcantara in Francavilla di Sicilia is a food and wine event held every year in November and which aims to raise awareness of local food products, in particular extra virgin olive oil, considered the gold green, which is produced here in different types. In addition to the tastings, however, there are several appointments that are scheduled for this event: here's everything you need to know to take part in the fair.

The festival in Francavilla di Sicilia: description of the event

Francavilla di Sicilia has been able to boast the title of City of Oil for some years, so it should come as no surprise that the local authorities have decided to organize a food and wine event to celebrate this nomination. The occasion, however, was too tempting to focus exclusively on this delicacy, given that the area around the town is rich in crops and other types of farms that give life to a varied and appetizing food and wine production.

Hence the idea of ​​organizing a festival that could make known to a very large audience extra virgin olive oil of these areas and also the many other specialties. The appointment is very articulated as it also includes the livestock fair, the local craft exhibitions and is part of the calendar of celebrations which are dedicated to Santa Barbara, the patroness of the city.

The history of the gold of Alcantara in Francavilla di Sicilia

The fair dedicated to Alcantara gold in Francavilla di Sicilia is an appointment that attracts many visitors every year but it is a relatively recent event given that the next one will be just the fifth edition. However the appointment includes demonstrations that actually have a much longer story.

For example, the livestock fair takes its cue from the ancient livestock fair which was organized since the Middle Ages and which involved the presence of cattle merchants who offered animals of all kinds but mainly those dedicated to tending the fields or to the production of milk, meat and eggs. Similarly, also the Feast of Santa Barbara, in which the appointment of the festival in Francavilla di Sicilia is inserted, has a long history.

When the festival takes place in Francavilla di Sicilia

The dates of the festival dedicated to the gold of Alcantara in Francavilla di Sicilia are variable but the month of November is a constant, precisely because it is the one in which historically the olives were harvested and their processing for the production of the extra virgin olive oil and more. The event lasts for a weekend: all the activities are concentrated on Saturday and Sunday, with tasting stands and much more.

Where the festival takes place in Francavilla di Sicilia

The Alcantara gold festival in Francavilla di Sicilia takes place in the municipality of the same name and is usually organized in Piazza Wojtyla which is one of the main and most spacious in the city. The appointment, however, also involves various farms for demonstrations on how olives are worked to obtain the typical oil of these areas.

Furthermore, one of the unmissable appointments of the event is represented by the guided tour of the Francavilla Archaeological Museum, which preserves numerous historical artifacts, therefore it can be said with certainty that the agriculture in Francavilla di Sicilia involves different areas of the town.

What to do during the festival in Francavilla di Sicilia

Alcantara oil is certainly the great protagonist of the event, therefore it is to this food that most of the stands as well as the appointments of the event are dedicated. However, there are also other products that want to be brought to the attention of visitors, such as local cured meats and cheeses. The food and wine appointment is also the right occasion to be able to taste some specialties such as cuccurredda china, which is a shortcrust pastry filled with hazelnuts, honey and almonds, a typical product of the Christmas holidays not only in the Alcantara but also in the rest of the province.

Recommended activities for a tour of the Alcantara Gorges

The Zootechnical Fair, on the other hand, is the unmissable appointment for animal lovers since for some years there have been not only farm animals but also much more. Finally, the calendar of the event is enriched by many other appointments which include art exhibitions, craft stands, visits to agro-food companies, guided tours of the main monuments of the town in the province of Messina. Finally, there is an event within the event: it is Grisulandia, an event dedicated to children and organized by the local fire brigade to make children aware of the protection of nature.

How to get to Francavilla di Sicilia

To get to Francavilla di Sicilia from Messina, it is necessary to take the A 18 motorway from Messina to the Giardini Naxos exit and from there continue along the state road 185 to your destination. As far as the train is concerned, however, the closest reference station is that of Taormina/Giardini Naxos which, however, is not located in the immediate vicinity of Francavilla di Sicilia, so it is then necessary to continue by bus to your destination. The bus connection service is guaranteed by the Ferrovie dello Stato and it is necessary to take the line for Alcantara.