La Via della Cona

La Via della Cona: Christmas of yesteryear in Calvaruso

During the Christmas season, the small village of Calvaruso, a hamlet of Villafranca Tirrena in the province of Messina, becomes the heart of an ancient and evocative tradition: La Via della Cona. The event, which takes place between December 25th and January 6th, is a rediscovery of a Christmas custom deeply rooted in the culture of the Peloritani territory, now brought back to life thanks to the dedication of local associations.

What is a Cona?

The Cona is a traditional Christmas display, both domestic and public, once widespread in Messina and throughout the Peloritani slopes. It is a small grotto built with local plant materials, such as ferns, butcher's broom, and other winter greenery, decorated with seasonal fruits, citrus, and brightly colored dried fruits. Inside, a statuette of the Baby Jesus, traditionally made of wax, is placed. In the past, bagpipers and folk singers would stop in front of these devotional shrines to perform ancient carols and novenas in a collective ritual of faith and celebration.

A journey through art, faith, and flavors

During the event, the streets of Calvaruso come alive along a route that weaves together several experiences:

• the cone set up along the streets, with their charm made of branches, fruits, and lights;
• the sound of bagpipers and ancient Christmas carols;
• the scents of traditional Sicilian and Messinese sweets;
• the intimate and popular atmosphere of the festive village.

The Ecce Homo Sanctuary and the Nativity scenes

Christmas in Calvaruso revolves around the Gesù Ecce Homo Sanctuary, guarded by Franciscan friars. In the evocative cloister of the sanctuary, the traditional Mini Nativity Scene Exhibition comes to life, featuring dozens of small nativity scenes made from diverse materials, alongside the Living Nativity, where the community recounts the magic of Christmas through ancient rites, crafts, and traditions. La Via della Cona is thus part of a broader calendar of Christmas events that make Calvaruso one of the most characteristic destinations for Christmas in the Messina area.

An identity heritage of the Peloritani Sicily

Rediscovering the Cona means preserving a precious fragment of the cultural identity of Villafranca Tirrena and the entire Peloritani area in Sicily. The event involves families, the elderly, and the youth in an act of passing down memories, where the religious dimension blends with folklore and community spirit. For visitors, it is an opportunity to experience an authentic Christmas, far from clichés, immersed in the sounds and scents of a popular Sicilian tradition.