Randazzo
Randazzo is located on the northern slope of Mount Etna. The town is located in a strategic position between the provinces of Catania, Messina and Enna. But also between three natural parks: the Nebrodi Park, the Alcantara River Park and the National Park of Mount Etna.
The Sicilian Black City
The city of Randazzo is also called “The Black City”, because for centuries the lava stones were used to build the streets, palaces and as decoration for the houses. In fact, if you now go to visit Randazzo, you still see lava everywhere.
When you’re in Randazzo, you definitely have to go see the Minor Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta from 1214. This church is very special because it was built completely with lava stones.
Churches of Randazzo
In Randazzo you will find about 30 churches, each one with its own history. Here is a list of the churches that were there originally. Some churches are now just ruins, others had another function.
- Minor Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta
- Church of San Nicolò
- Church of San Martino
- Church of San Pietro
- Church of the Lord of Pity
- Sanctuary of Maria Santissima del Carmelo
- Church of San Giorgio
- Church of Maria Santissima Annunziata
- Church of Santa Maria dell’Agonia
- Church of Santa Maria della Misericordia
- Church of Santa Maria della Volta
- Church of Santa Maria dell’Elemosina
- Church of Santa Maria dell’Itria
- Church of the Santissimo Salvatore
- Church of Santa Maria di Porto Salvo
- Church of the Capuchins
- Church of Santa Maria di Gesù
- Church of the Sacred Heart
- Church of San Giacomo, XVI century
- Church of Santa Barbara
- Church of San Bartolomeo
- Church of Santa Caterina
- Church of San Francesco di Paola
- Church of San Giovanni Evangelista
- Church of San Gregorio
- Church of Santo Stefano
- Church of San Vito
- Church of Christ the King
- Church of Santa Caterina
- Church of San Domenico
A church that is definitely worth a visit is the Church of St. Martin, XIII.
August 15: Festival in honor of Maria SS. Assunta
On August 15 there is the festival in honor of Maria SS. Assunta, patroness of the town. In the early afternoon, along the Via Umberto, there is a parade “a Vara”, a ferculum shaped like a pole richly decorated, about 18 meters high and dating back to the sixteenth century. On the Vara there are about thirty children who represent the mysteries of death.