Feast of the Assumption, Saint Roch and U Sceccu Pacciu

The festival that concludes Ferragosto in Gallodoro

In the heart of summer, the small town of Gallodoro, in the province of Messina, transforms into one of the most evocative stages in the Taormina area. Perched at an altitude of 388 meters and home to just over 370 residents, the village draws locals, returning emigrants, and curious visitors for a three-day celebration held from August 14th to 16th.

Assumption and Saint Roch: the religious core

The devotional heart of the festival revolves around two main events. On August 15th, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary is celebrated with solemn religious services in the 14th-century Mother Church of Santa Maria Assunta, the gathering of the confraternity banners, and the evening procession of the Virgin's statue through the historic center. August 16th is dedicated to Saint Roch, with a procession accompanied by brass bands. Throughout the three days, local musical ensembles perform, while fireworks mark the climactic moments of the celebrations.

U Sceccu Pacciu: the fire-donkey

But it is the night of August 16th that gives Gallodoro its most distinctive tradition: U Sceccu Pacciu, literally the "crazy donkey." This medieval-rooted ritual features a donkey-shaped structure, operated by a performer hidden inside, covered in spinning wheels and pyrotechnics. Around 1:00 AM, the figure comes to life: amidst trails of sparks illuminating the darkness, the "crazy donkey" bursts into the main square and chases the crowd through the adjacent streets, turning the town center into a stage of light. It is a moment of collective adrenaline where the reassuring domestic animal becomes, for a few moments, an untamable creature in an ancient game of order and chaos that the community renews every year.

A village between Taormina and the Peloritani mountains

Gallodoro is part of the Sicily Region and the Metropolitan City of Messina, offering a panoramic view over the valley descending toward the Ionian Sea. The festival is an opportunity to discover the village's heritage, from the Mother Church with its precious banner of the Antonello da Messina school to local gastronomic specialties, such as homemade pasta and fried cuzzole. For visitors staying on the Taormina coast, a trip up to Gallodoro during Ferragosto means experiencing an authentic side of Sicily, far from the beaten tourist paths.