Page 46 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sicily

44  INTRODUCING SICIL Y

Average Monthly Rainfall
MM Inches Rainfall
100 4 As the chart shows, in
the six months from
75 3 April to September
there is very little
50 2 rain. In autumn, by
contrast, violent
25 1 storms are common
throughout the
island, raising the
0 0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec average rainfall.
Autumn Efebo d’Oro International
Prize (end Sep–early Oct),
This season begins late in Sicily, Agrigento. A prize is awarded
as September and often to the best film adaptation
October continue sunny and of a novel.
warm. In autumn you can see
many of the characteristic October
festivals celebrating local Coppa degli Assi, Palermo.
produce, such as grapes, and the Grand Prix of horsemanship
theatre, classical music, opera at the Parco della Favorita.
and football (soccer) seasons all Sagra del Miele (honey) (first
resume their annual cycle. Sun in Oct), Sortino, Syracuse.
Sagra delle Pesche (peaches),
September (first weekend Oct), Leonforte,
International Tennis Enna. The luscious yellow
Tournament, Palermo. peaches grown here have
The tournament takes Italy’s version of appellation
place at the Country Statue for the Festa di San Vincenzo contrôlée status.
Time Club, 7 km (4 miles) at Aragona Ottobrata, Zafferana Etnea,
from the city centre. Catania. Every Sunday in
Sagra del Peperone (peppers), Madonna della Rocca (2nd October, in this village close
Sutera, Caltanissetta. weekend Sep), Taormina. to Mount Etna, the main square
Sagra dell’Uva (grapes), Religious procession and a is filled with stalls selling
Vallelunga, Caltanissetta; magnificent feast. The Madonna produce and articles made
Roccazzo and Chiaramonte della Rocca statue is carried by local craftsmen.
Gulfi, Ragusa. from the sanctuary to the town,
Festa della Madonna della Luce where a feast takes place. November
(7–8 Sep), Mistretta, Messina. The Bellini Festival, Catania. Festival di Musica Sacra,
symbolic dance of two armed Organized by the city opera Monreale. Another great
giants and the Madonna della company. musical event, which takes
Luce procession. Sagra dei Vini dell’Etna, Milo
Festa di San Vincenzo Aragona, sull’Etna, Catania. Exhibition and
Agrigento. Masked revellers go sale of wines made from grapes Public Holidays
in procession through the town. grown on the slopes of Etna. in Sicily
New Year’s Day (1 Jan)
Epiphany (6 Jan)
Easter Sunday and Monday
Liberation Day (25 Apr)
Labour Day (1 May)
Republic Day (2 Jun)
Ferragosto (15 Aug)
All Saints’ Day (1 Nov)
Immaculate
Conception (8 Dec)
Christmas (25 Dec)
Santo Stefano (26 Dec)
The procession at the Festa della Madonna della Luce

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