Ficarazzi is a picturesque hamlet in the municipality of Aci Castello, located in an area of great scenic charm between the majestic profile of Mount Etna and the deep blue of the Gulf of Catania. This locality, immersed in an evocative natural setting, retains strong ties with its agricultural past, while looking today to new prospects for tourism development linked to the enhancement of the area and its natural beauty.
The village has its roots in the union of the ancient fiefdoms of Gallinaro and Ficarazzi, and still retains clear traces of its history. In the heart of the historic center is the Furnari staircase, named after the duke who was once its lord, which has become an iconic element of the village. During major religious festivals, the staircase comes alive with evocative sacred-themed illuminations, transforming it into a place of great scenic impact.
Religious worship is a central element in the life of the community. The historic devotion to Our Lady of Relief has been joined since the 18th century by that to Our Lady of Providence, whose church, modern but rooted in tradition, stands at the very top of the Furnari steps. The parish is now dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.
In addition to its spiritual life, Ficarazzi is also active on the sports and social level: it hosts a municipal soccer and athletics field, and national volleyball championships are held in the Roberto Rimini School gymnasium, making the village a vital center for local sports as well.
Typical gastronomy is another distinguishing feature of Ficarazzi, heir to the peasant and seafaring culture: seasoned bread, tuna, swordfish, sarde a beccafico, pasta with urchins, anchovies in salt, and mauro (an edible seaweed), as well as the great classics such as arancini, caponata, parmigiana, and pasta alla norma. Traditional desserts include Sicilian cassata, cannoli and granite.
As for the origins of the name, two theories have confronted each other over time. The older and more popular one links it to the abundance of fig trees (“ficu”) and a local herb called “razzi.” The most accepted theory today, however, is Arabic: the term “Fakarazz” would mean “excellent,” reflecting the strategic and scenic value of the place. This hypothesis is also supported by historical similarities with the village of the same name in Ficarazzi (PA), on the other side of the island.
Ficarazzi is thus a village that combines history, spirituality, nature and flavors, representing an authentic expression of Sicilian identity.