Sicily is a land of great traditions. When tradition meets religion and popular belief the results are not to be missed. As the festival dedicated to the patron saint of Siracusa, St. Lucia, protector of “uccioli” (eyes), the saint is celebrated twice a year: on the first Sunday in May (also known as St. Lucia of Quails) and on December 13th (the birthday of St. Lucia).

The latter is the most important feast: starting in the afternoon of November 30th the band goes around the streets of Ortigia announcing the start of Tredicina. In fact the festivities begin on December 9th when the silver simulacrum of St. Lucia is on show in the chapel dedicated to her in the Cathedral.

December 12th is the eve of the feast; devotees flock to the Cathedral to attend to the transfer of the statue from the chapel to the main altar. On December 13th, in the early afternoon after the liturgy in the Cathedral, there is the procession of the Relics and the silver simulacrum to the Basilica of St. Lucia.

The people accompany the patron saint through the streets of the town shouting “Sarausana, Je!” (“She is from Siracusa!”). Many people carry lighted candles and make the journey barefoot as a sign of thanks or to ask for grace.

During the days of the Feast of St. Lucia people usually prepare eye shaped votive loaves of bread (according to the tradition depicting St. Lucia holding a cup with two eyes inside) and eat the typical dessert (baked corn topped with ricotta, honey or boiled wine). From here comes the popular saying: “Santa Lucia, pani vurria; pani nu nn’haju, accusì mi staju” (“St. Lucia, I would like bread; I don’t have bread, and so I remain”).