Ramacca: Archaeology, Festival Traditions and Artichokes

Ramacca brings together archaeological traces of the past, religious festival culture and typical local products.

Archaeology from prehistory to the Roman era

The Museo civico archeologico di Ramacca presents local archaeology: from Mesolithic hunter-gatherer communities in Perriere Sottano (10,000–6500 BC) to contact between indigenous communities and Greeks from the colonies of Catania and Lentini in the 7th century BC.

The museum presents, among other things, the Villa del Castellito from the Roman era, with its mosaics and small thermal complex. Another focal point is the Archaeological Park of Ramacca. It includes the prehistoric village of Torricella, the S. Maria site with Neolithic traces and the archaeological area of Montagna di Ramacca.

The Torricella area contains a prehistoric village dating from 2200 to 1500 BC.

The city’s history and sacred sites

The city of Ramacca was established between 1710 and 1712 in connection with the Principality of Ramacca founded by Sancio Gravina. The parish church of San Giuseppe has a single-nave layout and is decorated with stucco and altars.

The former convent attached to the Church of the Immaculate Conception now houses the parish of San Giuseppe in Ramacca.

San Giuseppe: home altars and local dishes

During the celebrations in honor of Saint Giuseppe, home altars in Ramacca are decorated with ritual breads in various shapes, local dishes, sweets, biscuits and seasonal products. On the evening of March 18, the San Giuseppe altars in private homes are traditionally visited; on this occasion, they remain open to visitors until late.

On March 19, those present at the public San Giuseppe altar are offered the typical pasta co' maccu. It consists of pasta, lentils and puréed broad beans. When planning a visit to Ramacca, it is possible to distinguish between the evening visits to private homes and the public feast day with its culinary offerings.

Festivals, artichokes and Lago di Ogliastro

The annual Fiera della Madonna delle Grazie takes place over three days in mid-October. It begins on Friday morning with the old animal fair, Fiera degli animali. For individual travel planning in Ramacca, two different periods should therefore be noted: San Giuseppe takes place in March, while the Fiera della Madonna delle Grazie is held in mid-October.

The annual Sagra del Carciofo di Ramacca also celebrates the artichoke as a typical product of the city. It features a wide selection of artichoke dishes accompanied by wine and music.

Lago di Ogliastro extends across the municipalities of Ramacca and Aidone.

Further destinations for your travel planning in Italy include Castel Di Judica, Calcerana-Marina, Militello In Val Di Catania, San Giovanni Montebello, Santa Venera-portosalvo, Pasteria-Lapide, Sant'agata Li Battiati and Santo Pietro.

To the higher-level travel overview: Catania.