Description
Cammino di San Giacomo in Sicilia | Level: Mod | P292
Because of the overwhelming response to the Cammino di San Giacomo in Sicilia in February 2024, we are running this event again in October 2024.
The Cammino di San Giacomo in Sicilia is the 2nd segment of the Camino Maltés de Santiago de Compostela and takes us from Caltagirone (Citta’ Jacopea to Sanctuary of St. James in Capizzi).
We fly to Sicily on 5th October 2024 (flights to be advised) and transfer from the airport to Caltagirone, a World Heritage city.
Caltagirone is the Citta Jacopea and the start of the Cammino di San Giacomo in Sicilia. Etymologically, the name Caltagirone is derived from Arabic qalʿat al-jirār (قلعة الجرار) meaning ,castle of pottery jars’ underlining how far back the pottery tradition goes in this town. Numerous archaeological finds date back to the 2nd millennium BC. In 1030 Arabs built a castle in Caltagirone to fend off attacks by the Byzantine general George Maniakes accompanied by Ligurian allies. Traces of Ligurian language still exist in the local dialect.
The main attractions of the city are the 142-step monumental Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte, built from 1608 in the old part of the town and the Church of St James the Elder.
We will commence the Camino di San Giacomo from the church of St. James and our itinerary over the following days is as follows:
Day 1 of walking: Caltagirone – San Michele Ganzaria – Mirabella Mbaccari. Distance: 19km with approximate altitude differences of + 260 m/ – 300 m. Level: Easy to Moderate.
Day 2 of walking: Mirabella Mbaccari – Piazza Armerina. Distance: 21km with approximate altitude differences of + 500 m/ – 300 m. Level: Moderate.
Day 3 of walking: Piazza Armerina – Valguarnera Caro Pepe. Distance: 19km with approximate altitude differences of + 300 m/ – 380 m. Level: Easy to Moderate.
Day 4 of walking: Valguarnera – Assoro. Distance: 25km with approximate altitude differences of + 980 m/ – 680 m. Level: Moderate to Difficult (because of ascent).
Day 5 of walking: Assoro – Nissoria – Nicosia. Distance: 25km with approximate altitude differences of + 630 m/ – 680 m. Level: Moderate.
Day 6 of walking: Nicosia – Capizzi. Distance: 17km with approximate altitude differences of + 680 m/ – 330 m. Level: Easy to Moderate.
In Capizzi we are now in the Province of Messina and close to Cerami, the site of the famous Norman Battle against the Arabs with the legend of St George as the Matamoros assisting the greatly outnumbered Normans to vistory. Both Ptolemy and Cicero mention Capitum, Capizzi precursor and it appears that the town had considerable importance during Hellenistic and Roman times together with Haluntium (present-day San Marco d’ Alunzio).
Capizzi is renown for the Sanctuary of St James the Elder and for the feast of the Saint every year in July. The statue of St. James the Elder is carried on the shoulders by the Capitini making stops in the various churches. During the procession the “Wall of Miracles” is demolished. We’ll learn of the Legends surrounding the “Wall of Miracles” during our Cammino.
The contribution for this event is Euros 625 per person and includes hotel / B&B accommodation mostly on bed and breakfast basis (last couple of nights on half-board), airport (coach) transfers, daily coach and baggage transfers during our 7-day stay and a Pilgrim Kit (with Credencial, Cammino-Patch, teeshirt and Testimonium) and assistance car during our trekking. The cost does not include flights.
