Celebration of Saint Agatha

Every year, from the 3rd to 5th of February, Catania dedicate to its patron Saint Agatha a grand feast, it’s a mixture of faith and folklore, which involves directly several thousand faithful, who are engaged in towing the “fercolo”, and regulary it attracts up to one million of people, including tourists, onlookers and devotees.

According to tradition, she lived in Catania in the first half of the third century and there she suffered tortures and the martyrdom cause her refusal to abjure the Christian faith, to honor her there are staged fireworks and solemn celebrations in the streets where lit by miles of illuminations, the processions wind through crowded and sumptuous pageants renewing the suggestions in the Baroque city of ancient rites and never lost.

On the first day of celebrations the civil authorities, on board the eighteenth century Senate carriage, the religious and the military ones march in a parade with historical costumes, following the eleven “Candelore”, that there are the heavy wooden constructions, carved and gilt, made by ancient guilds and carried on the shoulders of strong men during the traditional date for the supply of wax.

The day continues with the floral tribute of the firefighters who rise up to touch the highest point of the Cathedral to lay a floral arrangement to the image of the heavenly protector, for centuries she was invoked against fire and the eruptions of Etna.

In the afternoon it dispute the international trophy of running, and in the evening the first day of three Agatha days ends in Piazza Duomo with the performance of traditional songs in honor of the patron, and with a show of fireworks that it is famous for its intensity and colour beauty of its games.

The next day is that of religious celebrations in honor of the Saint begins with the Dawn Mass, it continues with the procession of the “fercolo” through the streets whose the “highlight” time is so-called “’cchianata de’Cappuccini”, during which the “fercolo” is driven, running, to the piazza San Domenico.

Then after the celebration in the church of Sant’Agata la Vetere, it is continued around the city and it is taken back to the Cathedral at dawn.

On February 5th, the procession continues in the inner city, and one of the most characteristic is the “cchianata ‘i Sangiulianu”, during which again the devotees run pulling the heavy “fercolo”. At dawn and sometimes even several hours after, the Saint go back to the cathedral greeted by devotees and a fireworks display.

The feast of St. Agatha means also gastronomy: who is in Catania during the feast have not to miss the great opportunity to taste, among the specialties, the traditional “Olivette of St. Agatha”, that are small cakes made with almond paste coloured green and covered with sugar, reminiscing of a legendary event linked to the cult of St. Agatha, and the “Cassateddi di Sant’Aita” or even the “minnuzzi” that recall the shape of a breast, to commemorate the martyrdom suffered by the saint.