The feast of St. Agatha in Catania is one of the most evocative feast in the world

Processions, prayers, ancient rites and many traditions, sweets included: between the end of january and the first days of february (but – save dthe date – on august 17th too), Catania celebrates its patron saint.

An extraordinary feast, comparable only to Holy Week of Siviglia (Spain) or to Corpus Domini in Cuzco (Peru).

Everything is devoted to the “Santa bambina” (baby saint), as the inhabitants call her, because of the martyrdrom inflicted to her by the proconsul Quirino, who liked her, when she was young. Agata, who was member of noble family of Catania, refused to reject her Christian faith and for this she endured unimaginable suffering. From fasting to physical torture, to caning and even the pull of her mammaries that, it is said, grew back during the night thanks to the intervention of St. Pietro.

And then, she died in prison on february 5th, 251 a.C., the day of the solemn celebration. Her relics, included the veil that – it is told – stopped many times the lava of Mount Etna, are kept in the Cathedral, in piazza Duomo. The “vara” that carries her reliquary is stored instead at the ground floor of Diocesan Museum. It is a real masterpiece. 

For three days and two nights the “vara” is pulled by two long ropes by devotees around the city centre. Between Sacred and Profane, you will be shocked by the fervency and worship of Catania people for the patron Saint. From 3rd to 6th february, the city is enlightened by faith and fire: despite its wintry temperatures, Catania lives its “hottest” period. Let yourself be guided by the devotees you will recognise along the streets because of their traditional white dress (called “sacco”) with the black velvet hat, the string belt, gloves and a handkerchief that waves while invoking St. Agatha.