Feste Aragonesi

The Feste Aragonesi of Montalbano Elicona

The Feste Aragonesi is the most anticipated summer event in Montalbano Elicona, a town in the Metropolitan City of Messina, Sicily, and one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in Italy," crowned "Borgo dei Borghi" in 2015. Every year, in mid-August, the medieval historic center and the famous Castle of Frederick III of Aragon become the stage for a grand historical re-enactment that draws visitors from across the region and beyond.

A Re-enacted History

The festival celebrates the deep connection between the village and Frederick III of Aragon, King of Sicily, who chose Montalbano as his preferred summer residence, commissioning his "Regia Aedes" upon the existing Norman-Swabian structure. The heart of the event is the Medieval Historical Pageant, which recreates the sovereign's entry "in terram et castrum Montis Albani": a long procession of ladies, knights, men-at-arms, falconers, and costumed performers winding from the Castle to the main square before a large audience.

Two Days of the Middle Ages

Throughout the festival, the village steps back in time. The stone alleys come alive with:

• the Palio of the districts, where teams compete in medieval games in Piazza Maria SS della Divina Provvidenza;
• a medieval craft market and taverns, where you can taste period-authentic food and drinks;
• falconry displays with free-flight demonstrations, archery, and educational workshops;
• performances by flag-wavers, chivalric games, fire-eaters, and street artists;
• medieval and ethno-folk music concerts in the evocative settings of the Castle and town squares.

A Village to Discover

The Feste Aragonesi is also the perfect opportunity to visit Montalbano Elicona, perched on the Nebrodi Mountains at an altitude of about 900 meters. Highlights include the Swabian-Aragonese Castle, the Cathedral, the medieval alleys, and the nearby mysterious megalithic site of Argimusco, often called the "Sicilian Stonehenge." The event is organized by the Municipality of Montalbano Elicona in partnership with the Historical-Religious Re-enactment Association, with the collaboration of the Mons Albus, AMALAC, and Pro Loco associations.