In the summer of 1860, hearing of the Thousand's exploits, the people of Viagrande sent Garibaldi fifteen quintals of pasta, twenty-six salme of wine and a case of bandages. The general answered from Messina on 4 August: «A heartfelt greeting to the good citizens of Viagrande». The note is still in the town hall.
The name comes from the Via Magna, the royal road between Catania and Messina: the town grew where it crossed the road down to the sea, and on the coat of arms the eagle holds a scroll with the letters V.M. Before that there were two hamlets, Viscalori and Velardi, founded in the twelfth century by Catanesi fleeing the barons. There are 8,155 residents.
Arancino · Pasta alla Norma
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Next up: Saint Maurus Abbot, patron of one of the most attended feasts in eastern Sicily, Friday 15 January
Nearest airport: Catania Fontanarossa, 16 km away
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📅 Every year, from 1 to 22 January and the first Sunday of September, culminating on 15 January
Viagrande celebrates Saint Maurus Abbot on 15 January, in one of the most beautiful and best-attended religious feasts in eastern Sicily, held every year from 1 to 22 January and again on the first Sunday of September.
Saffron rice, ragù with peas and caciocavallo inside a golden cone-shaped crust: in Catania it is masculine and pointed, and the quarrel with Palermo over the name is serious.
Read more →Straight-line distances from the town centre. Tap a point to open its page.
The closest destinations covered by our editors, with straight-line distance.
Outside Viagrande, but an easy day trip away.
