Stazzo

Stazzo is a hamlet of Acireale, located on the north coast about 8 kilometres from the municipal centre. Its name is thought to derive from the Latin ‘statio,’ referring to the resting place of ships, or from the Sicilian ‘stazzuni,’ meaning ‘furnace,’ in reference to the brick kilns in the area.

The local church, dedicated to St John of Nepomuk, was opened for worship in 1908 and became a parish church in 1921, replacing an earlier 17th-century church. Today, the feast of St John of Nepomuk takes place on the second Sunday in August, with processions and liturgical celebrations. Another popular event is the ‘Scherzo del Pesce,’ a pantomime in which fishermen chase a swordfish, also held every second Sunday in August.

Important to mention is the beach, characterised by black cliffs and numerous coves, including the Cala dello Stazzo and the harbour, called ‘u scalu,’ located in front of the church and protected by natural cliffs and artificial extensions.