Greek Connection (Our Sister City )
The name Licodia derives from the Greek word 'Licos' meaning wolf, which is why its Coat-of-Arms has a picture of a wolf. The suburb belonged to lord Riccardo Filangieri, and was afterwards bestowed to nobleman Manfredi Aragona.The name Eubea was given to the place in 1872, to identify with Chalcis, a town on Euboea, the second-largest Greek island, because it is believed to be the colony of Leontini, founded early in the 6th century BC on the same site of an unknown Sicel settlement. Vases of the First Period were found and all the tombs explored in 1898 belonged to the Fourth Period (700–500 BCE), and show the gradual process of Hellenization among the Sicels.In 1392, the ancient castle was bestowed to the Santapau family, that gave it its name and owned it until the 16th century, when it passed under the dominion of lord Vincenzo Ruffo. In 1693, the town was devastated by the earthquake, and experienced a slow reconstruction. (Source - Wikipedia)
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Our President Domenic Balliro had the immense honour of Visiting our sister city and planted an Olive tree in a very special ceremony.
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Main Attractions in Licodia Eubea
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Architecture
Castello Santapau
The Castle Santapau (also called Licodia Castle) is located in the municipality of Licodia Euboea, in the province of Catania. Founded in medieval times, today there are some ruins, following the earthquake of 1693 . The ruins of the castle still dominate from the urban center of the town of Licodia Eubea.
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History
The castle's name appears for the first time in official documents of the Statute of Anjou in 1274, but it is very likely that the hill was already fortified in the Byzantine era, as witnessed by the walls and the tunnel dug under the building, constructed by means and techniques typical of the late Roman Empire. The first complex, Byzantine period, was probably destroyed by the Arabs, and later rebuilt by the Angevins, the time of Charles I of Anjou, under whose rule the place took the name of Castrum Licodiæ.
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The castle was owned by various nobles, who alternated over the centuries, giving luster and prestige to the castle and estate. Among the most important families must remember Santapau, who gave the name to the castle, and Ruffo di Calabria, related to them. The latter belonged to the castle until 1812, when feudalism was abolished.
The building was almost completely destroyed by the terrible earthquake of 1693, which left standing only a few towers, some internal wall of the underground tunnels. (Source - Wikipedia)
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Church of Santa Margherita (Licodia Eubea)
The Basilica, mother church of Santa Margherita VM is the mother church of Licodia Euboea , dedicated to the patron saint of the city of Antioch in Pisidia Margherita VM. The church is a basilica, "Latin cross", with three aisles separated by two rows of six columns. The structure has two chapels at the height of which there are two domes. These chapels, placed at a front of the other, are dedicated to SS. Sacramento and the Addolorata. The chapel of SS. Sacramento is located in the left aisle, it is full of elegant stucco plaster and frescoes adorning the baroque structure. The other chapel, however, stands in the aisle and is dedicated to Our much revered by licodiani. In the south aisle, stands a huge statue of St. Anthony Abbot, carved wood decorated in 1617 by Giovanni Battista Galone. On the right side, in the altar of St. John the Baptist, is a painting depicting the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River: the painting was executed in 1933 by Professor Albertella. Also housed in the church is the statue of Christ the cardboard urn, U Signuri 'to cascia, simulacrum, which is of particular interest and devotion in Holy Week Licodia woman, exactly in the procession of Good Friday afternoon and night. (Source - Wikipedia)
Tree Planting Ceremony in Evripos
Castello Santapau
Chiesa di Santa Mergherita
Celebrations
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​March -April Easter Holy Week
Holy Week begins on Wednesday evening with the procession of "Christ at the Column" which is taken to all the churches, where it is welcomed by songs and prayers that are part of the cultural and religious heritage of the town . The celebrations continue on Thursday with the celebrations of the Lord's Supper, held in all the Licodian churches. Good Friday includes a procession of devotees who, as a vow, carry a very heavy and ancient cross on their shoulders for the entire day.Around 10.30, in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, "la Giunta" takes place, that is, the meeting between Christ, coming from the church of Santa Lucia, and the Addolorata, who comes from the church of the Crucifix. At 5.00 pm Christ is placed on the cross on Mount Calvary and Our Lady of Sorrows is covered with a black cloak, while ancient popular songs are sung. From Mount Calvario the two simulacra are taken to the Capuchin church, along ancient streets which at dusk, on this special occasion, are enveloped in a mystical aura. The faithful go to church "to fari a paci co' Signori" (to be reconciled with the Lord Jesus), because they are guilty of the crucifixion. In the late evening, a long procession moves from the Capuchin church following the dead Christ who is carried in a coffin to the Mother Church, following a particular pattern ("ca' nnacata), that is, two steps forward and one step back.​
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July 20 The Feast of Santa Mergherita (Patron saint of Licodia Eubea)
In Licodia Eubea the celebration in honour of Santa Mergherita is deeply felt by the whole community who with great devotion takes part in the religious ceremonies which culminate on 20 July with the procession of the simulacrum. The celebrations begin a month before with the exposition of the Relic, the recitation of the Rosary, the singing of the litanies of the Patron Saint and Eucharistic celebration and include the "pilgrimage to the Pidata"in the Masera district, a place dear to the Licodians, where there is a votive shrine to which legend is linked. It is said of the theft of the statue of the Saint by the people from Vizzini with the intention of replacing it with the simulacrum od St John the Baptist. The theft was not successful, because during transport the statue of Saint Margaret bacame heavy and the thieves had to stop in the place where the newstand stands today, the Saint having left the imprint of her foot there.
​​September Festa DellÚva
The Grape Festival in Licodia Eubea takes place every year in September and celebrates one of the main agricultural products of the village: table grapes.On the occasion of this gastronomical event, stands are set up where you can taste the delicious Licodia Eubea Table grapes and other typical local products.
Holy Week
Santa Margherita Statue
Uva Statue
