4. In its territory there are:
the important archeological site
of Morgantina.
the castle of Aidone.
5. The castle of Aidone, called Castellaccio, is from the
medieval era and was destroyed by an earthquake in
1963. It allowed to control the main communication
routes of central Sicily.
6. Morgantina is an old city, located next to Aidone. In 36
b.C., during the Greek-Roman war, the city was
destroyed.
7. The remains of the ancient city are now preserved in the
Archaeological Museum located in Aidone. We can
find the Venus of Morgantina, statues of other gods and
various treasures.
11. Aidone preserves many traditions; the
most important of these are:
the feast of St. Philip. It is
celebrated on May first.
the feast of St. Lawrence, which is
the patron saint, is celebrated on
August 10th.
12. During these festivities there are: fireworks, stalls and
even shows; many tourists come to celebrate and visit
Aidone.
13.
14. Valguarnera Caropepe
is a hill town.
It is in the Monti Erei, on
the watershed hill between
the Rivers
Dittaino and Gornalunga.
It has a population of over
9,000.
15. The tables of San Giuseppe are a popular Sicilian tradition. They
consist of tables of food of various kinds, offered as a vow to St.
Joseph during the celebrations of March 19, father’s Day.
It is a true culinary art spread in the towns of the Sicilian
hinterland, where the devotion to the putative father of Jesus is
particularly felt.
The tables of St. Joseph, in Sicilian dialect: “tavuli‘ri’ San
Giuseppi”, are prepared in the devotees’ homes that remain open
to the public throughout the day.
This custom thus reminds the Holy Family and the spirit of the
Christian charity towards the poorest.
16. The tables are embellished with linen tablecloths embroidered by the
women of the family and decorated with images of St. Joseph.
Each visitor is free to taste the delicacies made by the owner, who
prepares or commissions the ”Pupi ‘ri’ San Giuseppi”, bread with
particular shapes, especially shaped to represent the daily objects of the
holy carpenter. In addition to this absolute delicacy, the tables are
prepared with first courses, such as pasta with sardines and fennel;
sausages, salami and cheese; broccoli, thistles and other fried
vegetables; desserts like “cannoli, cassata, pignolata, cassatelle” bignet
and babà… and any kind of fruit. In addition, the tables are enriched
with fennel, lettuce and oranges.
The tradition wants that at these tables participate figures representing
the Holy Family. At the center sits St. Joseph, Baby Jesus and Our Lady
accompanied by St. Joachim and St. Anne.
18. San Cono is an Italian town
of 2.760 people of the
metropolitan city of Catania,
Sicily. It is located in a hilly
area at the western end of
the province.
19. Different traditions that are perpetrated in the
community of San Cono: the “carrivalata”, the
Ficodindia’s festival, St. Joseph’s tables but, the
most felt by “sanconesi” is the festival of San
Cono.
21. The festival starts with the traslation of the
simulacrum of the Saint thet, from the church
of San Cono, is carried on the shoulder
throught the streets of the town and then to
the matrix.
22. For many the country is celebrating,
and moments of devotions to folklore
events alternate.
23. The heavy
simulacrum is carried
on the shoulder
through the streets
of the town, with its
gait thet is more a
race of the Saint.
24. The central square and oll the streets are
filled with lights, the bells ring and the
fireworks are fired.
31. Piazza Armerina is a city of art, with a strong tourist
attraction, known as the "Mosaics city and the Norman
Palio".
32. The Norman Palio is one of the most impressive medieval festival organized in Southern Italy with
music and dance performances. It was created to honour the “Madonna delle Vittorie” the
patron of the Medieval village. The Norman Palio is held in the historic centre of Piazza Armerina
and ladies, knights and troops create an attractive and evocative atmosphere where tourists and
visitors can live a unique experience.
33. It’s an event of particular historical/cultural interest, which recurs every year since 1952. The
Palio is the most ancient medieval festival in southern Italy and takes place during Ferragosto
(mid-August) festival in Piazza Armerina from the 12th to the 14th of August.
34. The Norman Palio begins on the 12th of August when the Great
Magistrate delivers the weapons and blesses the District’s
jousting Knights.
35. On August 13th you get to the heart of the event with the Norman
troops’ entrance into the city and the handing over of the Keys of
Plutia.
36. The 14th of August is the day dedicated to Riding and the Saracen Quintain, where
knights of the four districts (Casalotto, Castellina, Canali and Monte) display their
prowess in honor of count Roger, in an equestrian tournament which commemorates
the battle against the Arabs.
37. The prize given to the winning District is the Banner of Madonna,
dedicated to Maria Santissima delle Vittorie, Queen of the City.
