The feast of Saint Lucia
- 1 Day
- 2,7 Km
- Easy
“Sarausana, jè! Viva santa Lucia” (She is from Siracusa! Long live St. Lucia) shout devotees during the procession.
When it is afternoon, the bells ring and the simulacrum crosses the doors of the Cathedral to rejoin the city. Days of preparation precede this great celebration that attracts hoards of believers and curious onlookers.
Here the long procession begins that will end in the late evening with the return of the statue to the Basilica of St. Lucia.
Before arriving at the church, the simulacrum stops at the Marina Door where sailors and soldiers greet the patron saint by playing the sirens of their ships festively. In the St. Lucia districts you will also find the traditional St. Lucia market.
Discover the moments of worship and folklore of this feast with us.
Cathedral of Siracusa
The Doric temple was built in the fifth century BC. by the tyrant Gelone following the victory against the Carthaginians in the battle of Imera. The Athenaion was hexastyle (six columns in front), periptero (columns surrounded the cell on all four sides), with 14 columns …
Church of Saint Lucia alla Badia
The Church and the Cistercian convent dedicated to St. Lucia had a prominent place in Syracuse, because of its location in the heart of Ortigia and especially for the feast of St. Lucia in May, established in memory of a miracle of the Patron Saint …
Fonte Aretusa
The legend tells that river god Alpheus fell in love with Arethusa, nymph of Artemis, and he tried to seduce her in every way. Aretusa invoked the intervention of the goddess that turned her into a spring. Sank beneath the Ionian, Aretusa was to lead …
Forum Vittorio Emanuele
Forum Vittorio Emanuele II, with its trees and benches, is the perfect place for a quiet walk. From here you can admire the port and part of the old city. Walking along the Forum, built to celebrate the unification of Italy, one encounters the Porta …
Umbertino Bridge
Dating back to the second half of the Nineteenth century the island of Ortigia is connected to the mainland by the Umbertino Bridge. The bridge takes its name from Umberto I, the sovereign ruler in Italy at the time it was built after the existing …
The Basilica of Saint Lucia al Sepolcro
The Basilica stands on the place Saint Lucia, patron saint of Siracusa, was martyred. Probably built over a byzantine basilica the actual building was built by the Normans over an existing Arab construction. Norman details can still be seen on the façade and the floors …