The celebration of Santa Rosalia or Festino is one of the major religious holidays in Sicily. The saint who is also called La Santuzza or Rusalia is honoured for saving Palermo from the plague. When the city got hit by the disease, the saint appeared in a dream to one of its residents, asking him to find her remains and take them around the city. That's how Palermo was saved.
Santa Rosalia's Parade
Since 1624, Santa Rosalia's relics are solemnly paraded every year through the city center in the middle of July, usually on July 14th. The figure of the saint is put on a triumphal float decorated with gold, silver, and flowers. The float is about 33 feet (10 m) high and adorned with gold and silver colors. Thousands of people follow the procession or watch it from their balconies, throwing confetti. You will never see more merriment, singing, and dancing on the streets of Palermo than during Festino di Santa Rosalia.
The procession begins at the Cathedral and continues right by Cassaro and up until the Foro Italico. The Mayor of Palermo and the Archbishop are usually at the front of the parade, leading the crowd. The culmination of the evening is the magnificent fireworks display, lightning up the sky over Palermo. On the second day of the festivities, relics are returned to the Cathedral and receive the blessing of the Archbishop of Palermo.
Santa Rosalia Theater Events in Palermo
Because this year marks the 400th anniversary of Santa Rosalia, the city of Palermo hosts exclusive events to celebrate this day. Teatro Massimo, a renowned opera house in Palermo, puts on several shows to honor the patron saint. The first performance, "4 Songs for Saint Rosalia," is held on June 27th at 9 pm, while "For the Love of Rosalia" takes place on June 30th at 6 and 9 pm. The Saint Rosalia's tribute is completed by Santa Rusulia musical on August 2nd at 7 pm.
