In the heart of the Etna territory, between Mount Etna and the sea, lies Aci Sant\u2019Antonio, the \u201cCity of the Sicilian Cart.\u201d Legend has it that, like the other Aci towns nestled in the lushest greenery of Sicily, it traces its origins back to the mythical Xiphonia, and its name is connected to that of the shepherd Aci mentioned by classical sources. Beyond legend, historical records date back to 1169, when the first settlement in the area of Greek origin (\u201cJachium\u201d) was destroyed by an eruption: the inhabitants of the devastated area, retreating partly to a verdant district, gave rise to the village of Casalotto.<\/p><\/p>\n
Almost five hundred years later, following an increasing demand for autonomy, the village obtained from the Viceroy of Palermo its separation from Aquilia (today Acireale), which had grown to incorporate several centers that over time managed to assert their self-determination. Thus, Aci Sant\u2019Antonio was born, which continued to grow, earning the epithet \u201ctotius Acis mater et caput.\u201d In 1826, a Royal Decree then separated it from Aci San Filippo and Aci Catena, granting it the status of head of the district. The 18th century represented a flourishing period, especially in trade, with the prosperous development of cart drivers giving rise to the art of the Sicilian cart, from construction to decoration, which reached its peak over the decades thanks to the internationally renowned master Domenico Di Mauro, who passed away at the age of 103 in 2016. The cart, having become almost a canvas for artists whose names have crossed seas, the Alps, and continents, now has a dedicated museum, which, in addition to several highly valuable specimens, also preserves a small workshop where some young and already established masters work. Finally, the definitive configuration of the municipality dates back to 1951, the year of the detachment of the Valverde territory.<\/p><\/p>\n
Today, the historic center radiates from one of the most important palaces, which has also served as a film set: Palazzo Riggio-Carcaci, from which a street, Via Vittorio Emanuele, begins and, if traveled in its entirety, would lead all the way to Mount Etna. Ideally, however, the street, passing through an intersection known as Quattru Cantuneri (with buildings featuring a typical Sicilian urban motif, with symmetrical windows, corbels, and balconies), a former cloistered convent from 1812, and a marvelous example of Baroque architecture such as Palazzo Puglisi (with a main entrance whose stone bears the year 1799), culminates with the fa\u00e7ade of the Church of San Michele, which on its right faces the Church of San Biagio (with an irregular fa\u00e7ade that makes its structure captivating) and on the left Piazza Maggiore and the third and most important of the nearby central places of worship, the imposing Mother Church with its fa\u00e7ade (designed by architect Battaglia) divided into two levels with semi-columns connected by pediments.
\nThe church is dedicated to the patron saint, Anthony the Abbot, celebrated on January 17 and honored every other summer with a grand event capable of attracting thousands of devotees: in August, with its ancient statue, the four candelore\u2014enormous works of art typical of the Catania area\u2014are carried through the streets by several bearers. One of these, considered the most imposing in the territory, is called \u2019U Tronu, and its bearers are admired as much as the structure itself.
\nFinally, numerous historic and religious buildings are scattered throughout the territory, which, with its fifteen square kilometers, almost reaches the Ionian coast and enjoys the mountain air.<\/p><\/p>\n
Today, the historic center radiates from one of the most important palaces, which has also served as a film set: Palazzo Riggio-Carcaci, from which a street, Via Vittorio Emanuele, begins and, if traveled in its entirety, would lead all the way to Mount Etna. Ideally, however, the street, passing through an intersection known as Quattru Cantuneri (with buildings featuring a typical Sicilian urban motif, with symmetrical windows, corbels, and balconies), a former cloistered convent from 1812, and a marvelous example of Baroque architecture such as Palazzo Puglisi (with a main entrance whose stone bears the year 1799), culminates with the fa\u00e7ade of the Church of San Michele, which on its right faces the Church of San Biagio (with an irregular fa\u00e7ade that makes its structure captivating) and on the left Piazza Maggiore and the third and most important of the nearby central places of worship, the imposing Mother Church with its fa\u00e7ade (designed by architect Battaglia) divided into two levels with semi-columns connected by pediments.
\nThe church is dedicated to the patron saint, Anthony the Abbot, celebrated on January 17 and honored every other summer with a grand event capable of attracting thousands of devotees: in August, with its ancient statue, the four candelore\u2014enormous works of art typical of the Catania area\u2014are carried through the streets by several bearers. One of these, considered the most imposing in the territory, is called \u2019U Tronu, and its bearers are admired as much as the structure itself.
\nFinally, numerous historic and religious buildings are scattered throughout the territory, which, with its fifteen square kilometers, almost reaches the Ionian coast and enjoys the mountain air.<\/p><\/p>\n
The feast of the patron saint of Aci Sant\u2019Antonio, Saint Anthony the Abbot, is a deeply felt celebration that takes place every year in January, on the solemnity of the hermit of the Thebaid, and every two years in August, on the third Sunday of the month, when the event known by the locals as \u201c\u2019A festa ranni\u201d is celebrated.
\nIt is a patronal festival with very ancient origins, actively involving the entire local community. During the celebrations, managed every two years by a different organizing committee, the statue of the Saint is carried in procession through the streets of the town, accompanied by songs and prayers, and includes, among other things, the blessing of animals, over which Saint Anthony is traditionally considered protector.
\nThe central festive day begins with the ringing of the bells and cannon fire. This is followed by Eucharistic celebrations and the blessing of bread, with the climax being the unveiling of the statue of the Saint, which is displayed for the veneration of the faithful.
\nThe evening procession then sees the statue of Saint Anthony the Abbot carried on an artistic \u201cvara,\u201d a decorated platform with Corinthian columns, arches, and silver lamps. Along with the \u201cvara,\u201d the four cerei\u2014the \u201ccandelore,\u201d enormous wooden works of ancient historical memory\u2014parade through the streets of the town center, representing four civic categories: the Peasants\u2019 Cereo, also known as \u201c\u2019U Tronu\u201d for its size, making it the largest in the territory, dating back to 1896; the Master Artisans and Workers\u2019 Cereo, dating back to 1911, also called \u201c\u2019A Signurina\u201d; the Cart Drivers\/Merchants\u2019 Cereo, also from 1911, which preserves elements recalling the Sicilian cart; and finally, the Farmers\u2019 (or Employees\u2019) Cereo, built in 1947, also called \u201cLa Bomboniera\u201d for its refined style. It is customary that, during a grand fireworks display, the cerei perform dances, with the bearers almost competing to execute the best movements for an extended duration, despite the weight of the works they carry. At the end of the fireworks, each cereo is positioned in front of the saint\u2019s platform as a sign of devotion. A truly spectacular event, capable of attracting a large number of visitors.<\/p><\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":726,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"categoria-esperienza":[21,22],"class_list":["post-725","esperienze","type-esperienze","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","categoria-esperienza-cicloturismo","categoria-esperienza-turismo-rurale"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n