Santa Rosalia’s Festival

Santa Rosalia’s Festival, also known as the Feast of Santa Rosalia or U Fistinu in Sicilian, is one of the most important religious and cultural events in the city of Palermo, Sicily. It is celebrated annually in honor of Santa Rosalia, the patron saint of the city.

The festival is in mid-July over several days, where a series of processions, parades, music, and fireworks took place. The main attraction of the festival is the statue of Santa Rosalia, which is carried through the streets of Palermo on a procession that begins at the Cathedral of Palermo and ends at the Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia on top of Mount Pellegrino.

The festival has a long history, dating back to the 17th century, when the city was suffering from a severe plague. According to legend, Santa Rosalia appeared to a hunter on Mount Pellegrino and instructed him to bring her bones down to the city. After the bones were brought down and the people of Palermo prayed to Santa Rosalia for help, the plague miraculously disappeared.

Since then, the festival has been celebrated every year as a way to give thanks to Santa Rosalia for her protection and help. Today, the festival is an important cultural event that brings together people from all over Sicily and beyond to celebrate their shared history and traditions.