Finale
Finale: A little gem on the Sicilian coast
Introduction
Finale is a beautiful town located on the north coast of Sicily, in the enchanting province of Palermo. This small fraction of the municipality of Pollina is mainly known for its breathtaking natural beauty and its history linked mainly to religiosity.
Physical Geography
Finale, once inhabited by a few hundred people, has expanded considerably in recent decades. Today, the urban center has a flat layout of new construction. The population is mainly made up of an original nucleus and families immigrated from other cities in the same province, such as Pollina and San Mauro Castelverde. The geographical location of this village is exceptional, as it allows you to enjoy the beauty of the sea and the mountain at the same time.
History
Finale stands on the ruins of a "villa" built in the eighteenth century by the Ventimiglia family, marquis of Geraci. The Ventimiglia were a noble family who also owned a fiefdom in Finale and used this locality as a summer residence. At the time, the village had little more than fifty inhabitants. Thanks to the collateral relationship with the Moncada family of Messina, the Ventimiglia introduced the Byzantine cult of the Madonna, importing a painting from 1800 depicting the Madonna with the Child Jesus. Today, the feast in honor of the Madonna della Lettera is celebrated every year on the second Sunday of August and is an unmissable event for the population of Finale and for tourists who wish to know local traditions.
Religiosity
The cult of Madonna della Lettera
The cult of the Madonna della Lettera is deeply felt by the Finalese. Tradition has it that the Ventimiglia, during their ownership, venerated the Mystery of the faith of the Ascension. Only later, through the relationship with the Moncada family of Messina, the original reproduction of the Madonna della Lettera painting arrives in Finale. The celebration of the annual solemn feast dedicated to the Madonna della Lettera takes place in the family chapel of the still existing marquises in a position opposite the watchtower.
The parish
The parish of Finale, dedicated to Maria SS. of the letter, was established in 1963. The first parish priest was Father Epifanio Solaro. From the beginning, the need to build a new church was evident, since the Ventimiglia chapel was too small to meet the needs of the growing community. In 1988, the new church was inaugurated and the ancient chapel has recently been restored.
Conclusions
Finale is a place rich in history, traditions, and natural beauty. The population of few inhabitants, characterized by a great cultural heterogeneity, lives between the sea and the mountain and venerates with great devotion the Madonna della Lettera. If you are planning a vacation in Sicily, Finale certainly deserves to be visited. What you will find here is a rare and precious pearl on the Sicilian coasts.
