Mostarda and Prickly Pear Festival in Militello Val di Catania

La Mostarda and prickly pear festival has become a fixed appointment for all those who in the autumn period intend to enrich their itinerary and savor a piece of Sicilian tradition, in what is one of the most important moments of the Etna province. The event takes place in the city of Militello in Val di Catania and usually takes place during the second and third weekend of October.

It is an extraordinary celebration in which all citizens are involved in showing the world the beauties of Baroque soldier, already awarded the prestigious recognition by theUNESCO World Heritage Site. During this occasion it is possible to admire the important artistic and architectural heritage of Baroque origin which has made the city famous, the typical productions of the agricultural world and the results of so much work and peasant commitment.

The month of October is the best time to taste and appreciate the prickly pear which reaches the right degree of maturation and during the Mostarda and Prickly Pear Festival in Militello the tourist is offered the opportunity to taste the derivatives of this delicious fruit, including the tart, the mousse, the nectar, the jam, the liqueur and first of all the famous prickly pear mustard. In addition to offering the products of their land to the general public, the inhabitants of Militello in Val di Catania are particularly keen on this event because through it it is possible to promote, enhance and develop the typical features of the area through characteristic and food and wine products.

Mostarda and Prickly Pear Festival: history and activities

The Mostarda and Prickly Pear Festival was established in 1987 but initially it was mainly a sporadic initiative carried out by individuals, only in 1993 did it take on a specific identity and purpose thanks to the collaboration of local administrations and pro spot.

The festival has grown over the years and is now an event that involves and attracts thousands of people from all over Europe. In the month of October, the city of Militello is tinged with the typical autumn colors emphasized by the preparations for the party.

As soon as you arrive in the country, citizens and visitors are delighted by the nuances and scents of those products that dominate this season, the prickly pear and mostarda. The itinerary starts from Via Porta della Terra and ends in the atrium of the Castle. Along the way they are installed stand and counters where prickly pear producers offer customers their work and their specialties, including the still steaming mostarda served in the characteristic terracotta tiles.

During the day there is the possibility of strolling through the enchanted streets of Militello Val di Catania, getting lost among the stalls displaying the delights of local production and attend parades of the colored ones Sicilian carts. Those who wish to get to know the city better from an artistic and cultural point of view can join the numerous free guided tours organized by the young Militello volunteers. During these excursions, knowledge, legends and precious information are transmitted to the visitor, which will allow him to have a completely new vision of the city. When the sun sets, the streets in the center come alive with cultural and folkloristic performances, musical bands from all over Sicily perform on street corners and on stages set up for the occasion.

Mostarda and Prickly Pear Festival: how to get there

Militello in Val di Catania is well connected to the rest of the island and therefore regardless of the place from which you start, it will be easy and simple to reach your destination.

Who wants to reach the city on the train will have to leave from Catania and use the FF.SS line. Catania - Caltagirone - Gela which connects Piazza Giovanni XXIII in Catania with the Militello station.
For those who want to reach the city by bus there are the Interbus lines which, among the various routes, also cover the Catania - Militello Val di Catania route.

Those who arrive by car from Catania they will have to: take the Catania ring road; take the last exit of the SS115 for Syracuse; arrive at the roundabout of the primosole bridge; take the SS194 Ragusana (Palagonia); continue on the SS385 (Palagonia); at the junction of the SP28/I (Scordia) follow the signs for Militello VC

From Syracuse: take the SS114 towards Catania; once you arrive at the Primosole bridge roundabout, take the exit for the SS194 in the direction of Palagonia; continue along the SS385 for Scordia and proceed for Militello.

From Ragusa: take the SS514 towards Catania; at the crossroads for Militello/Vizzini/Licodia Eubea turn left towards Militello staying on the SP28/II.

From Palermo, Caltanissetta, Enna: take the A19 motorway towards Catania and exit at "Sferro-Gerbini"; turn left and take the SS192 of the Dittaino Valley; once you reach the crossroads, cross the SS417 towards Palagonia; turn left to enter the SS385 towards Palagonia in the direction of Catania; after about 1 km, turn right towards Militello.