Aci Bonaccorsi: Church Art, Festivals and Local Culture

Aci Bonaccorsi combines religious tradition, visual art and cultural sites.

Churches, Paintings and Historical Traces

The Church of Sant'Antonio Abate e della Consolazione is entirely decorated with scenes from the New Testament and figures of saints. It is probably the oldest church in Aci Bonaccorsi. Its first construction phase probably dates back to the 11th or 12th century; it was remodelled and possibly extended in the first decades of the 18th century.

The year 1589 marks the ecclesiastical independence of Chiesa Santa Maria dell'Indirizzo and its elevation to a church of the Blessed Sacrament; it was not until the following century that the Matrice became a parish church. The year 1588 is affixed to the façade of the subsidiary Church of Santa Lucia in the Battiati district.

During the restoration of a painting of the Annunciation, a scroll was discovered beneath the painted layer. According to it, Aci Bonaccorsi once had another church dedicated to the Annunciation on the border with Viagrande; at the end of the 18th century, it was the subject of fierce disputes. Another historically significant painting of the Annunciation was painted by Vincenzo Sciuto.

In the Lavina district, the local church houses the small slate painting “Maria bambina”, entitled Maria SS. Ritornata. It has become the focal point of Marian devotion in Lavina.

Religious and Culinary Festivals

The Festa di Santo Stefano in Aci Bonaccorsi includes the unveiling of the image of the saint, a solemn pontifical mass and a procession through the town centre with the precious statue and relic of the saint. Liturgically, the Festa di Santo Stefano is celebrated on 26 December, and as a major summer festival on 3 August. The two dates place the celebration in the Christmas season and the height of summer in the local festival calendar.

The religious festival culture is also reflected in the annual neighbourhood festivals. Typical dishes and sweet treats are prepared and sampled there. The “Domeniche di Maggio – Festa di Primavera” also includes a craft exhibition.

Theatre, Museum and Public Cultural Venues

The Teatro Comunale Leonardo Sciascia opened on 29 February 2004 and has 350 seats. Access is only possible during the events announced in the calendar.

The Biblioteca Comunale Luigi Sturzo has a room for conferences, presentations and other activities. A public astronomical observatory is located in Parco Lucchesi Ramondetta in Aci Bonaccorsi.

The “Museo virtuale delle Aci” opened on Saturday, 4 June, in the palmento of the centrally located Palazzo Cutore, in the heart of Aci Bonaccorsi. It also serves as a tourist attraction and gives visitors insights into the artistic and architectural features of the Aci area.

Further destinations for orientation: Santo Pietro, Mineo, Valverde, Aci Catena, Carlentini, Viagrande, Linera, Santa Venera-portosalvo

For the overarching travel overview: Catania.