Maria Santissima Annunziata Patrona di Ficarra

Maria Santissima Annunziata, patron saint of the town of Ficarra and its citizens, is celebrated every year by the faithful on 25 March and 3 to 5 August.

Legend has it that, at the beginning of the 16th century, a ship that left Palermo and headed for Syracuse stopped in Brolo due to a storm. At the time of departure, all attempts to take off were useless, a mysterious force prevented the ship from moving. Then the crew decided to leave the statue on the ground and only then left. Vain were also the attempts to transport the statue by people who rushed to the beach. Only a group of inhabitants of Ficarra succeeded in carrying the simulacrum of the Virgin Mary to Ficarra to the cry "Evvia a Gran Signura Maria", which is still heard today during the processions.

The legend, however, leaves room for what likely happened, namely that the statue was directed to Ficarra as it was commissioned by the brotherhood of the Annunciation to use it in processions.

We note how the sculpture of Maria Santissima Annunziata, attributable to Antonello Gagini, son of Domenico, who over the years of working in his father's workshop accumulates more and more experience and refines his technique by collecting stylistic influences from the most important sculptors of his time , differs considerably from the other sculptures of the Gaginian school present in the nebroid territory, but always remains of delicate workmanship and perfect proportions that make it one of his best works.