Experience Sicily

Tag: messina

  • Taormina’s Memorable Piazza IX Aprile

    Perhaps Taormina’s most memorable square is Piazza IX Aprile. The Church of San Giuseppe with its double stairway has held court here since the 17th century, while the historic Wunderbar Caffè has played host to the likes of Truman Capote, Winston Churchill, Tennessee Williams, Henry Faulkner, Greta Garbo, Elizabeth Taylor, and many others. As beautiful…

  • Contemporary Art for an Ancient Icon

    The spectacular and colorful Sanctuary, “il Santuario della Madonna del Tindari,” was built in the 20th century to accommodate the flow of pilgrims coming to see the iconic statue of Tindari’s “Madonna Bruna” or Black Madonna. This mural is from the dome above the church’s main altar. September 8 is the feast day in honor…

  • Celebrating the Black Madonna of Tindari

    Thousands of pilgrims are expected on Monday, September 7 at the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna of Tindari. The town of Patti is even planning to close down one side of State Highway 113 to accommodate all the devotees expected to participate in the multiple masses, the solemn evening procession of the iconic Madonna Nera…

  • Infiorata in San Pier Niceto

    Sebastiano Garifo, Experience Sicily’s local guide sent in this photo from San Pier Niceto in the Province of Messina. This weekend they are celebrating their annual Infiorata festival with flower carpets depicting the Eucharist. Readers of the New York Times may recall an August 2013 article by Russell Shorto, the author of the “New York…

  • La Befana, the Good Witch

    The visit of La Befana is celebrated on Epiphany Eve (January 5) throughout Italy. La Befana is a friendly witch with a broomstick, shawl, and sack filled with sweets and gifts for children. She originally set out to meet the Baby Jesus, but never found her way to Bethlehem. To this day, in an attempt…

  • Go See Where You Gotta Go

    One summer evening in Santo Stefano di Camastra.

  • Chestnuts… in an Open Basket

    These two figurines from Palermo’s Museo Etnografico Giuseppe Pitrè are carrying traditional baskets filled with foodstuffs. The woman carries eggs, and the man, it’s hard to say. I’m going to venture to guess that perhaps he’s carrying chestnuts or “castagne.” This is the season for harvesting chestnuts–and like the olive festivals also celebrated in November,…

  • Our Lady

    On September 15, the town of Terme Vigliatore in Messina province celebrates their patron saint Maria delle Grazie (Our Lady of Grace) with a solemn procession and feast. Maria, or Mary, has many different titles, but they all apply to the mother of Jesus. So, Maria delle Grazie or Mary of the Graces is another…