Set 45 km from Catania, on the northern slope of the mighty volcano Etna, the town of Linguaglossa is famous throughout Sicily for its murals and its production of fennel-flavoured sausages. Its narrow streets, lined with ancient, low houses, hide splendid churches and small gardens where it’s not uncommon to see grapevines. Mount Etna’s finest vineyards are right around Linguaglossa, the birthplace of wine. But it’s also one of the coldest towns in the district of Catania, and at Christmas, in the heart of winter, the magic comes alive. During the holidays, Linguaglossa hosts “the Processions” – parades in ancient costumes that reenact the story of Jesus’ birth.
The Town of the Tongue
Linguaglossa owes its name to… the “lingua”, that is the “tongue”. Or rather, to a very specific tongue: a tongue of lava. Repeatedly threatened by the volcano, its territory is dotted with lava flows, and one of these largest “tongues of fire” is the one on which the town stands. According to other theories, the “tongue” refers to the sharp tongue of its inhabitants, who obviously don’t like this version 
very much! However, emphasizing the concept of “tongue” in two languages (Latin and Greek) led to the name “Linguaglossa.”
Linguaglossa: art and songs
Beyond the gastronomic art of pork processing and wine production, Linguaglossa is a town with a deep love for art. It expresses this through painting, frescoes, and the very recent murals that now color every corner and every square. The deep religious faith that characterizes the inhabitants is also reflected in the art of songs, which accompanies celebrations and events taking place in the town. These are the songs that accompany the Christmas parades, when the celebration fully takes over the entire town.
Christmas Processions
Linguaglossa’s traditional Christmas events include showcased nativity scenes, the ever-present markets, and traditional Sicilian carols. All this precedes and accompanies the traditional processions, which recall the journey of the shepherds and the Wise Kings to the scene of Jesus’ birth. Along with the classic nativity scene characters, elegant knights and ladies also parade, gathering around the great bonfire known as “A Zuccata.” The parade will be repeated on January 5th, focusing on the Three Kings.
Recently, the sacred scenes of the town’s pageant have been joined by the symbols of Santa Claus, his “little house” (usually set up at the Pro Loco offices), and all the elves and reindeer that complete the tradition.
Come to Linguaglossa!
Linguaglossa is easy to reach by car: take the Messina-Catania highway, exiting at Fiumefreddo in either direction. From here, along State Road 120, climb for about 9 km towards Randazzo and Linguaglossa. If you’re on the eastern side, for example in Zafferana or Milo, you can reach Linguaglossa via a longer, winding but very scenic route: climbing from Fornazzo and over the Citelli ridge towards Piano Provenzana and Brunek.
By train: Get off at the Taormina-Giardini station and take a taxi or an Interbus bus to Randazzo. Those arriving by plane can land in Catania and from there take direct bus connections to the Catania station and Linguaglossa. (Photos by G MUSUMECI)