Acireale Carnival, Italy
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Content of this article
What is the Carnival of Acireale?
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This is one of the most charming carnivals to be found in Sicily. The carnivals boast a long tradition and are loaded with humor and satire. During the celebrations, a huge number of people come to be part of the fun, the bright colors, the music and the imposing carrozas. In Acireale carnival is celebrated with masks, lights, flowers, confetti and exquisite food.
In the carnival season, the streets of Acireale is completely crowded with impressive colorful and brilliant floats that take the breath away from every visitor.
We accompany you everything related to the carnivals of Aciriale, in the city of Catania..
The carnivals of Acireale light up the streets with their parades of lights
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When is the Carnival of Acireale?
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These amazing carnivals will take place approximately from the 15th to the 25th of February. This carnival full of history, color, lights and sense of humor will take place in the historic center of Acireale.
History of the Carnival of Acireale
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The carnival of Acireale a tradition that was born at the end of the 16th century. It was born as a spontaneous celebration among the locals used to throw rotten eggs and oranges in the streets of the commune. During the 18th century arose the “abbatazzi” that were a kind of event composed by popular poets in the streets of the city. Then in the 19th century followed the “cassariata”, parades on horseback led mainly by thenobles.
Today the carnival is celebrated with the use of allegorical floats imposing, flower arrangements, dances and live concerts and confeti. In addition, among the streets and small corners of the city there are countless food stalls and traditional wines of the area.
Where is the Acireale Carnival
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The enchanting celebration takes place in thecoastal town of Acireale which is part of the Province of Catania in Sicily. Carnivals are held with big floats and masks. These carnivals are full of personalities and satirical messages and mockery of their own political figures of the region and the country. The carnival begins in Piazza dell Madonna and crosses important streets of the city such as Corso Italia, Corso Savoia and Corso Umberto.
The Acireales carnival floats are decorated with lights and flowers
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How is the Carnival of Acireale celebrated?
The historical carnivals of Acireale are celebrated with the use of flowers on the floats that are made of papier mache, this tradition dates back to 1600. To carry out the creation and preparation of the floats takes a lot of time.
Each of the floats and costumes found in the city during carnivals are loaded with a satirical and mocking sentiment to the different events, political figures or celebrities that are of major importance at the time. The competition between floats is quite stiff, since at the end of the parades a prize is awarded to the best floats in different categories. The circuit or the program of the carnivals of Acireale used today is the same as the one used in the early 1980s. This program integrates the most important streets and squares such as Piazza del Duomo..
During the carnival of Acireale, the historic center of the seaside town receives hundreds of allegorical floats, made with papier-mâché and decorated with flowers of different colors. The parades are much more crowded during the night, since it is when the lights on the floats highlight the attractiveness of the characters. The elaboration of the floats is a long and hard process, but it is a well remunerated job for the creators of the floats, since this work is one of the most respected in the city.
During the last day of the carnival, the celebration has a closing ceremony where the different floats are awarded a prize that takes into consideration different categories. At the same time, the carnival ends with a fireworks display.
Tips for going to the Carnival of Acireale
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Because the Carnival of Acireale is one of the most important in the region and considering that it is the third oldest, gathering a sea of visitors to witness for themselves these historical and colorful celebrations. We recommend you to plan your trip in advance so you can be part of these festivities full of color, lights and flowers.
If you want to know more about tourism in this country I recommend you this guide:
Events in Acireale Carnival
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Among the most emblematic events that take place during the carnivals, we can mention the grand opening ceremony where the key of the city is handed by the mayor of the city to the Carnival Queen. Then it is the opening of the carnival, eight allegorical floats are arranged throughout the city. During the first few days there are light shows and concerts live music.
There are also other side events you can participate in such as the opening of thecomic book or Sicilian art exhibition. There is also a children’s mask competition andflower float parades.
During the carnivals the light show and floats draw attention during the night of the festivities
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Acireale Carnival Parades
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One of the most imposing parades during the Acireale carnivals is the one that kicks off the festivities. However, each of the parade floats take on a distinctive look that is what makes this carnival so iconic.
The lights and flowers give a special touch to the papier-mâché floats found in the city of Aciriale during the carnivals. At the same time one can observe the different mocking messages to the main political figures of the region or to the most famous celebrities of the moment.
Parade route
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The parade crosses several points of the city during the carnivals
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The parades start in plaza Piazza Duomo and from there, the parade route takes several of the most important streets of the city, some of these are Ruggero Settimo, Roma, Paolo Vasta, Mancini, among other streets and avenues of the city.
The cavateddi is a typical dish that is consumed during the carnival festivities in Acireale
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What to eat during the Carnival in Acireale[/caption]
What to eat during the Carnival in Acireale[/caption]?
It is a carnival tradition to consume typical dishes such as cavateddi, a pasta with sauce and pork. Also locals and tourists consume chiacchere, an incredible dish of sweet fried dough covered with impalpable sugar. Also famous is the pignolata consisting of sweet dumplings covered with warm honey and crushed nuts or colored sprinkles on top.
The city also offers a wide variety of restaurants offering local and Mediterranean food. You can visit the following places Osteria Frammento, I Russo’ or the Ristorante Acquapazza..
The pignolata is a typical sweet dish consumed during carnivals in Acireale
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Travel Insurance
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From Carnavalesdelmundo.org we recommend hiring a good insurance to visit this carnival and know the rest of the country. For being our readers we offer a 5% discount on all insurance from IATI. Read more information about all insurance offers here:
What to see and do inside the Acireale Carnival
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You can attend the various opening ceremonies of the carnivals, witness the lights and flowers show carried by the carroques. You can also eat at the various food fairs set up in the city or attend the live music concerts and art exhibitions held in the city.
What to see and do outside the Acireale Carnival
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The city of Acireale is full of tourist attractions that you can visit if you decide to come and enjoy the historical and emblematic carnivals. Some of the attractions are the following:
Acireale Diocesan Museum
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One of the city’s museums that is steeped in history and replete with pieces of distinctive arts of the region.
The Cathedral of Acireale
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Located in Piazza Duomo and was built as a simple church between 1597 and 1618. However, it has undergone different projects to enlarge it to the form it has today.
San Sebastiano Basilica
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One of the most important temples in the region. It was built between 1609 and 1644, however, it has been rebuilt due to damages caused after the earthquake that took place in 1693.
Safety at Acireale Carnival
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Acireale is a generally quite safe city. However, you should exercise caution and keep your belongings safe and pay attention to your surroundings, especially in crowded places to avoid falling victim to pickpockets who hang around the city. Also, we recommend the following products to keep your belongings safe:
Weather at the Carnival of Acireale
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During the carnivals the weather has a temperature between 4 and 15 degrees Celsius, with a probability of rainfall of 5 days per month.
The floats made of papier-mâché are iconic of Acireale carnival
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How to get to Acireale Carnival
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How to get there by plane
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Catania airport is the closest airport to the city, you can transport yourself from there through the various means of transport that the city offers you.
How to get there by train
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Trains to Acireale depart from Catania and have a 10 to 20 minute ride at a cost of €2.50. You can also reach Acireale from Taormina, the journey takes 25 to 45 minutes and costs €3.80.
How to get there by bus
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AST buses approach frequently, the route is from Catania to Acireale from Monday to Saturday. The journey takes 80 minutes and costs €2.70. The Interbus to Acireale depart from Catania or Taormina with a journey time of 50 minutes to 4 hours from Monday to Saturday and some Sundays. The cost is around €2 to €5. Buses go to via Umberto I or via Vittorio Emanuele II in the town of Acireale.
How to get there by car
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Driving from Catania using the SS114 highway.
Where to stay in Acireale Carnival
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Hotel Capomulini
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3 star hotel 100 meters from the beach Capo Mulini. It offers restaurant, bar and lounges. Internet access and TV are available.
Grande Albergo Maugeri
4 star hotel in the historical center of the city 5 min from the cathedral. The rooms are spacious, internet connection, air conditioning and TV.
Hotel Capomulini
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4-star hotel in antique style. It offers rooms with wood-beamed ceilings. The hotel is 3 km from the town and the rooms have air conditioning, TV and private bathroom.
We recommend you use Booking.com to book hotels at a good price, check more information here:.
Thanks for reading
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