Militello Rosmarino: Churches, Townscape and Festivals

The historic center of Militello Rosmarino lies on a hill above the valley of the Torrente Rosmarino. Its medieval street plan, churches and traditions surrounding San Biagio give the town several historical facets. To find your way around, it helps to consider not only individual buildings, but also the relationships between the different parts of the center and its customs passed down through the generations.

Townscape and Landscape

The town plan is divided into two areas connected by a narrow corridor. The oldest part of the historic town fabric lies around the Norman Castle. This layout helps make sense of the center as a structure that has developed over time: the castle area and the second area form part of a townscape whose medieval character is still evident in its arrangement.

Another landmark in the area is Monte Scurzi. The 484-meter-high mountain is steep, conical and completely bare. Traces of a protohistoric settlement have been found at its summit. In Militello Rosmarino, the historic fabric of the center and the archaeological traces on the mountain thus offer different ways of exploring the town’s history.

Churches and Artworks

The Duomo di San Biagio, also called the Chiesa Madre di Militello Rosmarino, is the town’s most important church. The present-day Chiesa Madre dates back to renovations and extensions in the 18th century. A church dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Myra had already stood on the same site in the 15th century.

The artworks in the Chiesa Madre include a painting of the Immaculate Conception by Giuseppe Tomasi, dated 1672, above the main altar, and a wooden crucifix from the late 16th century. The crucifix is a work by the Li Volsi masters from Tusa. The crypt beneath the Chiesa Madre contains mummies of 18th-century figures, as well as painted wooden niches and sarcophagi.

The history of other churches also adds to the picture of the town. The Chiesa del Rosario was built from 1484 by the Barons Rosso; a Dominican monastery was later attached to it. The Chiesa di San Domenico was built at the end of the 15th century at the behest of Enrico Russo. The Madonna col Bambino by Pietro Novelli is another of the important works of art in the churches of Militello Rosmarino.

Festa di San Biagio and Local Traditions

The traditional Festa di San Biagio in Militello Rosmarino is also celebrated on February 3. Named traditions include “SCIARA CA RAMA” and “CANNIZZOLI,” which take place in the town’s streets. Another procession is A Sciara: children carry bundles of burning wild reeds through the streets. A Sciara takes place between January and February, before the procession of San Biagio.

The ancient Processione del simulacro di San Biagio follows the main street. One characteristic feature is the “running of the saint.” The ancient Abbey of Santa Maria Lo Brignolito opens only for the Festa di San Biagio.

L’ottava di San Biagio has its own customs, too. During the procession, it stops in place so that people can taste mortadella, salted sardines, bread, olives and red wine. Another old tradition of L’ottava is to make one’s way to a hill in Contrada Cuttunaro. The tasting and the visit to the hill are separate customs passed down through the generations.

Routes and Local Cuisine

Numerous Trazzere and mule tracks crisscross the area around Militello Rosmarino. Together, they form a network between the town center and rural settlements. Scattered across the area are also the remains of watermills, reminders of activities that have since disappeared. These traces add the history of the countryside to the story told by the churches and the town’s layout.

Pastizzottu di Militello Rosmarino is part of the local food culture. Its filling contains cocoa, and the pastry is topped with a layer of egg white decorated with chocolate. It is considered nearly extinct. Its distinctive recipe and its increasingly rare status make it a distinct part of local tradition, alongside the religious festival customs.

Discover more destinations: Reitano, San Pier Niceto, Rocca Di Capri Leone, Santa Barbara, Graniti, Scafa, Milazzo, Alì

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