Ruralia - Carcaci Farmers' Market

Ruralia: The village of Carcaci comes back to life

Ruralia is the farmers' market that enlivens the Borgo di Carcaci—a charming hamlet of the municipality of Centuripe in the province of Enna, in the heart of inland Sicily—every first Sunday of the month. Inaugurated on May 1st, 2024, the event was created to restore life to an ancient settlement that is now nearly uninhabited, promoting agricultural products and the traditions of a territory suspended between Mount Etna and the Nebrodi Mountains.

A fiefdom with a centuries-old history

Carcaci has roots dating back to the Middle Ages: the Normans built a castle tower there as early as 1061, and in subsequent centuries, it became one of the most coveted fiefdoms by Sicilian aristocratic families. The village itself was established around 1631, and in 1718, the Paternò Castello family purchased the barony, giving the place the name it still bears today. Walking through its walls during the market means crossing nearly a thousand years of Sicilian history.

The flavors of tradition

The heart of Ruralia is its rural gastronomy. Among the stalls and tastings, you can sample genuine zero-kilometer products:

• Warm ricotta served with whey, prepared on the spot;
• Pane cunzato, seasoned with oil, tomatoes, cheese, and anchovies;
• Fresh pasta with Nero dei Nebrodi ragù, made from the renowned Sicilian black pig;
• Local wine and traditional sweets;
• Rustic peasant dishes such as tripe.

Music, atmosphere, and local promotion

In addition to tastings, every edition features live folk music, jam sessions, and entertainment that transform the village square into a meeting point for families, hikers, and curious visitors. The square in front of the village was redeveloped thanks to funding from the GAL Etna project, becoming the ideal space to host the market. Some editions are enriched with special events, such as the Living Stations of the Cross in spring or the Living Nativity during the Christmas season.

An experience between nature and culture

Immersed in a rural landscape of pastures and districts, Ruralia represents an opportunity to rediscover the most authentic Sicily—that of livestock farming, shepherding, and agriculture. A monthly appointment that combines taste, history, and community, dedicated to promoting the Enna hinterland and recovering an identity heritage that would otherwise be destined for oblivion.