Destroyed several times and in turn tenaciously rebuilt by the population, Tremestieri carries the marks of its history and has always been known for the warm welcome given to the pilgrims coming from the neighboring districts.
Tremestieri is a charming terrace on Catania and one of those municipalities that in the last thirty years have seen the biggest population increase. Full of luxury villas, built by noblemen and wealthy people from Catania who have chosen the town as a resort thanksto the climate and the pleasant environment. It’s Municipality with a strong touristic presence.
HISTORY
Thanks to its mild climate and fertile soil, Tremestieri Etneo has had since ancient times several human settlements. There aren’t many traces left because of the frequent natural disasters, earthquakes and eruptions, which have turned upside down the appearance of the place. Some findings date it back to the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Norman civilizations. Destroyed several times and in turn tenaciously rebuilt by the population, Tremestieri carries the marks of its history and has always been known for the warm welcome given to the believers coming from the neighboring districts. “I cafoli”, known in present day as the area of “Cavolo”, bordering Mascalucia, for example, is nothing more than a lava stone crevice due to the eruption of 1381.
CULTURE
Tremestieri takes its name from the Latin “Tria Monasteria” even though, according to some scholars, it could originate from “Three Musteri”, three millstones, for the wide spread of wine culture in the territory. The term “Etneo” was added only later to distinguish the town in the province of Catania from the one in the province of Messina. On the flag are shown the symbols of the city: the all-powerful Mount Etna with its major role in the history and culture of this place; three buildings representing the facades of the old centre quarters , Floor and Immaculate, in the background of a green hill; the sign “M”, as a tribute to the Virgin Mary; the red background, color of the volcano; two olive branches, raminding everyone of the ancient devotion to the patron saint of the town; Our Lady of Peace, celebrated every year on the first Sunday after Easter. The monument located in the municipal house was built in her honor, looking like the original statue on the hill of the apparitions of Medjugorje.
EVENTS AND QUALITY GOODS
Culinary events and festivals in the town are especially awaited in the fall, . In October Tremestieri Etneo is flooded by the scent of irises, one of the most famous desserts of Sicilian cuisine, the expression of the oldest local cuisine, made with cream filling and local ricotta. The “Mercatino dei Morti”, an exhibitions of handicrafts,works of lace and tatting painting enrich the Festival by creating an event within the event.
CULTURAL ASSETS
Only some churches have survived the disastrous events: the Mother Church, devoted to the “Madonna della Pace”, in which every year a great nativity scene is depicted; the “Chiesa dell’Immacolata”, going back to the mid-seventeenth century; the “Chiesa della Madonna dell’Idria” , built in the first half of the seventeenth century, the “Chiesa Santa Maria delle Grazie”, in which are stored two valuable paintings representing the Madonna with Saint Lucia, Sant’Agata, St. Rocco and the Angel; the Church of St. Anthony Padua and St. Mark’s Church.