Perhaps the people of Catania are exaggerating a bit when they say this is the “second biggest religious festival in the world”. Well, maybe we are not quite at a planetary level, but the feast of St. Agatha is a show that goes on for almost three full days. St. Agatha was a Christian martyr who actually lived in Catania at the foot of Mt. Etna in the 3rd century AD. In a small town, a procession brings everything to a standstill, but nowhere else in Europe can it bring a city of almost 500,000 people to a screeching halt for 72 hours!
The Festivities
Although the real party is from February 3rd until the morning of the 6th, the city of Catania has thoroughly planned many events beginning on January 4th through February 12th. On February 2nd the traditional Candelora evening will take place with various events scheduled in Piazza Duomo and throughout the city. Then on February 3 “Hymns and classical music in honor of Sant’Agata” at 20:00 in Piazza Duomo. They will be performed by the Choir “G. Tovini” and followed by the traditional fireworks show.
A Three-Day Long Party
All of Catania seems to crowd into Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral square) on the evening of February 3rd when the feast begins with I fochi d’a sira or tri (or “the fireworks of the 3rd in dialect). The sky explodes with fiery, beautiful colors. On the afternoon of February 4th, the first procession starts: the heavy silver cart that holds Agatha’s reliquary bust is carried in the procession along the outskirts of Catania’s historical center. The route ends late at night, and you’ll barely have time to rest because the real festival begins the next day. On February 5th the procession follows the inner route along Via Etnea, Via A.Di Sangiuliano and Via Crociferi until finally winding back to the Duomo (sometimes not until the following morning!). The procession moves very slowly, among the dense crowd, and arrives first in Piazza Cavour for the “fires of the Borgo”. Then it ascends along Via Di Sangiuliano (which once took place at dinner time, but over the years has become progressively later), and stops to listen to the Song of the Nuns of Via Crociferi that once took place at dawn’s first light (now it’s at 10 in the morning).
Where to Stay
Nowadays St. Agatha’s return to the church almost always takes place the morning of the 6th, and sometimes as late as after lunch. Doing the entire procession on foot is impossible, so we suggest you reserve a room in one of the many hotels or B & Bs located along Via Etnea, Via Di Sangiuliano, Piazza Duomo or Via Vittorio Emanuele (the inner route). Remember that Via Etnea is a very long (3 km) street and that the procession only covers the first part of it. Make sure that your B & B is located near the Piazza Duomo-Piazza Cavour part. The same goes for Via Di Sangiuliano (make sure that your accommodations are before or on Via Crociferi) and Via Vittorio Emanuele (better to stay near the Piazza Duomo).
Continue reading about the beautiful city of Catania and Mt. Etna!
Photos by Grazia Musumeci
