Saint Agatha Festival in Catania
The **Festival of Saint Agatha (Festa di Sant’Agata)** is the most important religious celebration in Catania — and one of the largest in the world. For three intense days each February, the city transforms into a sea of white tunics, candles, devotion, and fireworks, honoring its beloved patron saint who symbolizes faith, courage, and Sicilian identity.
- Visit Sicily
- 3 min read
Saint Agatha Festival in Catania — Faith, Fire, and Devotion
🙏 Overview
Held annually from February 3 to 5, the Festa di Sant’Agata is a breathtaking mix of religion, tradition, and spectacle. It celebrates Saint Agatha, a 3rd-century Christian martyr and the patroness of Catania. The event attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and visitors who fill the city’s streets to accompany her silver relics through candlelit processions.
This UNESCO-recognized festival is not only a display of devotion but also a symbol of Catania’s resilience, having survived volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and invasions under the saint’s protection.
🕊️ The Story of Saint Agatha
Saint Agatha was a young noblewoman from Catania who devoted herself to Christianity during Roman times. When she refused the advances of the Roman prefect Quintianus, she was persecuted, tortured, and killed around 251 CE. According to legend, during a violent eruption of Mount Etna, the people of Catania invoked her name, and the lava flow miraculously stopped — securing her status as the city’s eternal protector.
📅 Festival Schedule and Highlights
February 3 — The Offering of Wax (Candelore Procession)
- The festival begins with a colorful parade of candelore, giant gilded candle-shaped structures carried by local guilds.
- Each candelora is elaborately decorated with carvings, lights, and flowers.
- Citizens dressed in white tunics and black caps (sacco e berretto) symbolize humility and purity.
February 4 — The Main Procession
- The silver fercolo (reliquary) containing Saint Agatha’s relics is carried out of the Catania Cathedral amid bells, fireworks, and cheers.
- The procession winds through the city, following a traditional route that can last over 18 hours.
- Along the way, worshippers shout “Cittadini, cittadini, viva Sant’Agata!” and light candles up to three meters tall.
- Streets are lined with carpets of flowers, and balconies are draped with white cloth.
February 5 — The Return and Farewell
- The final procession climbs Via di San Giuliano, one of Catania’s steepest streets — a dramatic and emotional moment.
- At midnight, fireworks illuminate Piazza Duomo, marking the saint’s return to her resting place.
- The next morning, the city wakes quiet and peaceful after three days of jubilation.
🎇 Traditions and Symbols
- Candles (Ceri): offerings of devotion; many are as tall as the people who carry them.
- Sacco: the traditional white robe worn by devotees, representing the garments of penitence.
- Candelore: towering candle-shaped floats representing ancient trade guilds.
- Fercolo: the silver carriage that holds Saint Agatha’s relics.
🍴 Festival Food
During the festival, the streets overflow with food stalls offering traditional treats:
- Olivette di Sant’Agata: green marzipan sweets shaped like olives, recalling a legend from the saint’s escape.
- Cassateddi: mini ricotta-filled pastries covered in icing.
- Arancini, roasted nuts, and sweet wine are also widely enjoyed.
📍 Where to Experience It
- Piazza Duomo: the heart of the festival and location of the Cathedral of Sant’Agata.
- Via Etnea: the main avenue for processions and fireworks.
- Via San Giuliano: where the famous uphill run takes place on February 5.
The festival atmosphere extends across the whole city, with decorations, lights, and music.
💡 Tips for Visitors
- Book accommodation early: Catania gets crowded weeks before the festival.
- Dress warmly: February nights can be cool.
- Arrive early: for good viewing spots, especially near Piazza Duomo.
- Be respectful: this is a deeply spiritual event for locals.
🧭 Summary
The Saint Agatha Festival in Catania is a powerful blend of faith, community, and tradition. Through fire, music, and devotion, the people of Catania honor their patron saint with unmatched passion. More than just a religious event, it’s a living expression of Sicilian identity — one that illuminates the heart of the island every February with light, love, and eternal gratitude.