Feast of Sant'Agata in Alì Superiore

Ad Ali Superior every year there is one party very heartfelt which is the one dedicated to Sant'Agata, patroness of the country. It is an event that involves the faithful every year and which has an extremely long duration given that the celebrations begin on 27st January and then culminating 9 days later, the 5 February.

Here, then, is everything you need to know for those who want to take part.

Description of the patronal festival of Ali Superiore

La feast of Sant'Agata it is a very heartfelt event for the population of the village because it is the patron saint of the town. The celebrations begin on January 27th when the novenary begins: every evening, for nine days, the rosary is recited with the participation of all the faithful. The celebrations, however, reach their climax on 5 February: the day opens with the firing of barrels and the musical procession of the band announcing the party. Then religious functions are celebrated in honor of the Saint and finally in the afternoon the statue representing her is carried in triumph through the streets of the village. Upon returning to the church, after the final solemn mass, the faithful who are not from Alì can kiss the saint's arm while the local faithful will only be able to do so starting from February 12th. At the end of the day there are fireworks.

The history linked to the feast of Sant'Agata ad Alì Superiore

In 1126 the relics of Saint Agatha they were taken from Constantinople to Catania, however during the journey the ship transporting them had to make an emergency docking in Alì and then complete the rest of the journey on foot. The inhabitants of the village, after having given assistance to those who guarded the relics, interpreted this event as a sign of the Saint's protection, therefore they began to venerate her with great fervor so much so that the guardians of the relics decided to give a gift of piece of her veil to the faithful. The relic obtained was taken to the church to be protected and from then on the city showed its gratitude to the figure on more than one occasion, decreeing the honors of patronal feast.

When the patronal festival of Alì Superiore takes place

The day dedicated to Saint Agatha is 5 February and precisely on this date is the most important event regarding the patronal feast of Alì. However, the celebrations begin 9 days earlier, when the novenary begins on January 27th.

Where the feast of Sant'Agata takes place in Alì Superiore

The entire village of Alì Superiore is involved in the feast of Sant'Agata in Alì Superiore because the solemn procession carrying the statue of the Saint in triumph passes through the streets of the town.

What to do during the feast of Sant'Agata in Alì Superiore

Those who go to Alì Superiore to take part in the patronal festival will then be able to take advantage of the time available to discover some very interesting corners of the village.

Obviously the sightseeing tour must start from cathedral, which is named after Sant'Agata, which was built in the second half of the sixteenth century. Also there Church of the Most Holy Rosary it is very interesting, even if the precise date of its construction is not known: what is certain is only that it was completely restored in 1624. As regards the civil architecture, however, it is of great interest Palazzo Maggiore, built in the early seventeenth century.

How to get to Ali

Those who wish to reach the town to take part in the festival of Sant'Agata in Alì Superiore will be able to do so by car, starting from Messina and traveling along the SS114.
On the other hand, those coming from Palermo will have to choose the A20 first and then continue on the E90, as well as those who leave from Trapani.
From Syracuse the reference road is the E45 while from Catania you must follow the A18 first and then the E45. Finally from Enna the indicated road is the A19 and then the E932.

For those who wish to travel on the train, Alì also has its own railway station which is located on the line that connects Messina to Syracuse, and is also served by the lines of bus numbers premises of the public company AST.