Ferragosto Randazzese with the "Vara" Procession, in which young girls enact the Assumption (August 15th).
Location
Randazzo is built on an old lava layer on the northern slopes of Mount Etna looking down on the Alcántara Valley. Historically, although only 15km/9mi from the main crater, it escaped damage from any eruptions of Etna. However, it suffered badly in the Second World War. This medieval town boasts three parish churches, because until the 16th century Randazzo had three Christian communities, one Greek, one Roman Catholic and one Lombard.
Linguaglossa (20km/12.5mi east of Randazzo), a station on the Etna Circular Railway, is a setting-out point on the panoramic road to the northern slopes of Mount Etna, to Mareneve (14.5km/9mi, 1,450m/4,760ft) and further uphill to the former Rifugio Citelli (8.5km/5.25mi, 1,741m/5,714ft),There are some interesting documents about Mount Etna in the tourist information office on the Piazza Annunziata.
The palazzo opposite San Nicolò in Randazzo was built in the early 16th century and is a fine example of the transition from Gothic to Renaissance. There is a Latin inscription on the ledge around the facade.
The Chiesa di San Martino in Randazzo has a beautiful campanile with twin and triple-windows and crenellations (14th century). Dating from the same period, the church itself was rebuilt after suffering war damage. Inside will be found a 1447 marble font, while the crucifix in the right apse dates from 1546 and the marble tabernacle in the left apse is 15th century.
On the Piazza di San Nicolò stands Randazzo's largest church, the 14th century Chiesa di San Nicolò. The original transepts and apses were preserved when the church was renovated in the 16th and 17th centuries. Inside can be seen sculptures by Antonello and Giacomo Gagini, as well as a 15th century triptych.
The Chiesa Madre di Santa Mariain Randazzo is a 13th century Gothic church built of blocks hewn from the lava rock. The massive apses still date from that period, while the doors and windows were altered in the Gotho-Catalan style in the 15th century, the front and bell-tower were replaced in 1863 and the dome in the early 19th century (V. Marvuglia). The three aisles are separated by massive columns. The sculptures and paintings are 16th-18th centuries.
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Linguaglossa, Italy
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