Novara di Sicilia
Encyclopedia
Novara di Sicilia is a comune
(municipality) in the Province of Messina
in the Italian
region Sicily
, located about 160 km east of Palermo
and about 40 km southwest of Messina. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 1,606 and an area of 48.8 km².
Novara di Sicilia borders the following municipalities: Fondachelli-Fantina
, Francavilla di Sicilia
, Mazzarrà Sant'Andrea
, Rodì Milici
, Tripi
.
origin, means “maggese” to indicate the agricultural vocation of the zone. Under the Romans
it changed in Novalia (grain field) and for the Arabs garden was Nouah (garden, flower). Other names used in the Middle Ages include: Nucaria, the Nuara, the Nucharia, Nugaria, Nutaria, Nocerai, Noara until the definitive transformation in Novara.
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire
, it remained under Byzantine
hands until the Arab conquest of Sicily. The Sicilian emirate lost it in the 11th century, when it fell under control of the Normans, who populated the town people from Lombardy
. The population indeed still speaks a distinctive dialect called Gaulish-Sicilian.
, is the archetype of a typical medieval town.
There are five churches. The 16th century Cathedral is in the Piazza Duomo. The Churches and palace ruins were constructed by the craftsmen of the town. Other churches include Santa Maria di Noara, S. Nicolò, S. Antonio, S. George and Annunziata. There are also palaces from the 16th-18th centuries.
The Anthropological Museum, which features tools of local farmers and artisans as well as displaying the early culture of the local people, is also of note. The intricate cobbled streets form a mosaic between the ancient small houses that stand shoulder to shoulder along the mountainsde.
Events during Carnival
include the “Gioco of the Maiorchino”, where wheels of maiurchèa (a seasoned pecorino cheese) are rolled along a predetermined route, the Carnival of the Children and a masked ball which takes place in the recently renovated Communal Theatre.
Pastoral rituals with a silent procession of the Confraternite occur during Holy Week
.
In July there is a Flower Festival and the “Climbing of the Rocca
Salvatesta”, which is seen as a test of character.
The Festa dell'Assunta (the assumption of the Virgin Mary
) is the largest annual event in the town, attracting thousands of visitors. The festivities run from July 31 to August 15, when a procession is held with a statue of the Virgin (the patron saint of the town), illuminated with more than 150 candles, is carried through the streets on the shoulders of more than 30 men. The relics of Saint Hugh are also included in the procession and each every five years statues of other saints also join in. The event is followed by a firework display.
In the first few weeks of August an exhibition is held of vestments, church furnishings, handicrafts, paintings, photographs and local handicraft.
A “Living Manger” is displayed during the Christmas period.
Comune
In Italy, the comune is the basic administrative division, and may be properly approximated in casual speech by the English word township or municipality.-Importance and function:...
(municipality) in the Province of Messina
Province of Messina
Messina is a province in the autonomous island region of Sicily in Italy. Its capital is the city of Messina.-Geography and demography :...
in the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
region Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, located about 160 km east of Palermo
Palermo
Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old...
and about 40 km southwest of Messina. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 1,606 and an area of 48.8 km².
Novara di Sicilia borders the following municipalities: Fondachelli-Fantina
Fondachelli-Fantina
Fondachelli-Fantina is a comune in the Sicilian Province of Messina. Situated between Novara and Francavilla di Sicilia, in the southern Peloritani mountains, it rises on an inland area and is 604m above sea level. The community also borders the municipalities of Antillo and Rodì Milici...
, Francavilla di Sicilia
Francavilla di Sicilia
Francavilla di Sicilia is a town and comune in the Province of Messina on the island of Sicily, Italy.It has a population of about 4,000 people and is situated in the southern part of the province, close to the northern slopes of Mount Etna. The distance to Messina is about 50 km, and the...
, Mazzarrà Sant'Andrea
Mazzarrà Sant'Andrea
Mazzarrà Sant'Andrea is a comune in the Province of Messina in the Italian region Sicily, located about 150 km east of Palermo and about 40 km southwest of Messina...
, Rodì Milici
Rodì Milici
Rodì Milici is an Italian comune in the Province of Messina in Sicily.-Geography:The comune is located about 160 km east of Palermo and about 35 km west of Messina...
, Tripi
Tripi
Tripi is a town and comune in the province of Messina . It is located on the site of Abacaenum, an ancient Greek colony....
.
History
"Noa", a word of SicaniSicani
The Sicani or Sicanians were one of three ancient peoples of Sicily present at the time of Phoenician and Greek colonization.-History:The Sicani are thought to be the oldest inhabitants of Sicily with a recorded name...
origin, means “maggese” to indicate the agricultural vocation of the zone. Under the Romans
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
it changed in Novalia (grain field) and for the Arabs garden was Nouah (garden, flower). Other names used in the Middle Ages include: Nucaria, the Nuara, the Nucharia, Nugaria, Nutaria, Nocerai, Noara until the definitive transformation in Novara.
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire
Western Roman Empire
The Western Roman Empire was the western half of the Roman Empire after its division by Diocletian in 285; the other half of the Roman Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire, commonly referred to today as the Byzantine Empire....
, it remained under Byzantine
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
hands until the Arab conquest of Sicily. The Sicilian emirate lost it in the 11th century, when it fell under control of the Normans, who populated the town people from Lombardy
Lombardy
Lombardy is one of the 20 regions of Italy. The capital is Milan. One-sixth of Italy's population lives in Lombardy and about one fifth of Italy's GDP is produced in this region, making it the most populous and richest region in the country and one of the richest in the whole of Europe...
. The population indeed still speaks a distinctive dialect called Gaulish-Sicilian.
Main sights
The village, nestled in the mountains overlooking ancient Tyndaris and Abacaenum and with notable views of the Aeolian IslandsAeolian Islands
The Aeolian Islands or Lipari Islands are a volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea north of Sicily, named after the demigod of the winds Aeolus. The locals residing on the islands are known as Eolians . The Aeolian Islands are a popular tourist destination in the summer, and attract up to...
, is the archetype of a typical medieval town.
There are five churches. The 16th century Cathedral is in the Piazza Duomo. The Churches and palace ruins were constructed by the craftsmen of the town. Other churches include Santa Maria di Noara, S. Nicolò, S. Antonio, S. George and Annunziata. There are also palaces from the 16th-18th centuries.
The Anthropological Museum, which features tools of local farmers and artisans as well as displaying the early culture of the local people, is also of note. The intricate cobbled streets form a mosaic between the ancient small houses that stand shoulder to shoulder along the mountainsde.
Festivals and annual events
The Festival of Saint Anthony Abbot is celebrated in January, with a parade of horses and livestock and a “Blessing of the Animals” in the bell tower.Events during Carnival
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
include the “Gioco of the Maiorchino”, where wheels of maiurchèa (a seasoned pecorino cheese) are rolled along a predetermined route, the Carnival of the Children and a masked ball which takes place in the recently renovated Communal Theatre.
Pastoral rituals with a silent procession of the Confraternite occur during Holy Week
Holy Week
Holy Week in Christianity is the last week of Lent and the week before Easter...
.
In July there is a Flower Festival and the “Climbing of the Rocca
Rocca (architecture)
Rocca is an Italian term meaning a high, fortifiable stronghold, usually located in smaller towns, beneath or on which the village or town clustered, within which its inhabitants might take refuge at times of trouble; under its owners' patronage the settlement might hope to find prosperity in...
Salvatesta”, which is seen as a test of character.
The Festa dell'Assunta (the assumption of the Virgin Mary
Assumption of the Virgin Mary
Many significant works of art depict the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. They include:* Assumption of the Virgin by Francesco Botticini* Assumption of the Virgin by Titian* Assumption of the Virgin by Antonio da Correggio...
) is the largest annual event in the town, attracting thousands of visitors. The festivities run from July 31 to August 15, when a procession is held with a statue of the Virgin (the patron saint of the town), illuminated with more than 150 candles, is carried through the streets on the shoulders of more than 30 men. The relics of Saint Hugh are also included in the procession and each every five years statues of other saints also join in. The event is followed by a firework display.
In the first few weeks of August an exhibition is held of vestments, church furnishings, handicrafts, paintings, photographs and local handicraft.
A “Living Manger” is displayed during the Christmas period.