Festino di Santa Rosalia: a mix of folklore and religion
In a few words, what is the “Fistinu”? It’s a traditional historical procession, in a mix of folklore and religion that finds its climax in the traditional fireworks. The Festino di Santa Rosalia, patron saint of Palermo, is an event that attracts tens of thousands of tourists to the city and celebrates the liberation of the city from the plague of 1624, following the discovery of the relics of the Sanctuary on Mount Pellegrino. The first Festino was wanted by Cardinal Giannettino Doria in 1625 and over the centuries the festival has been able to renew while maintaining all its charm and tradition.
On the night between 14th and 15th of July, thousands of Palermitani accompany the long march of the Carro della Santuzza, starting from the Cathedral and the Foro Italico, going then through Piazza Bologni, Quattro Canti and Porta Felice. The procession culminates in the traditional fireworks that light up the sky as it’s daylight.
Over the years the “festino” has been enriched with new choreography and sets that always maintain a strong symbolism linked to tradition and religious worship. This is one of those appointments not to be missed for any self-respecting Palermitano, but as we said the feast attracts curious from all over Sicily and astounds tourists who, for the occasion or by chance, are involved in the festivities.
Santa Rosalia or Rosalia Sinibaldi (1130-1156), according to tradition, belonged to the noble family of the Sinibaldi and was a virgin of Palermo in the twelfth century, daughter of Sinibaldo, lord of Quisquina and Rose in the province of Agrigento, at the time called “Girgenti”. She lived at the court of Re Ruggero before retiring as a hermit in a cave on Mount Pellegrino, where she died. In 1624 she saved the city from the plague and became its patron saint, ousting St. Cristina, St. Oliva, St. Ninfa and St. Agata. According to the legend she appeared in a dream to a hunter indicating him where he could find her remains, which brought in procession in the city stopped the plague.
Santa Rosalia and its Culinary Tradition
During the Festino di Santa Rosalia, there are many dishes that are eaten and that are part of the popular tradition of Palermo: you can also find some of those recipes in our website!
For example we have Pasta with sardines (pasta chî sardi), boiled octopus ( ‘u purpu), calia e simenza ( ‘u scacciu), babbaluci (snails boiled with garlic and parsley), sfincione (‘u sfinciuni), boiled cob (pullanca) and watermelon (called ‘u muluni).
The procession is accompanied by rhyming songs of devotion:
“Uno. Notti e ghiornu farìa sta via!
Tutti. Viva Santa Rusulia!
U. Ogni passu ed ogni via!
T. Viva Santa Rusulia!
U. Ca nni scanza di morti ria!
T. Viva Santa Rusulia!
U. Ca nn’assisti a l’agunia!
T. Viva Santa Rusulia!
U. Virginedda gluriusa e pia
T. Viva Santa Rusulia!
ed ogni tanto il grido “E chi semu muti? Viva viva Santa Rusulia”.
In Santa Rosalia and its feast the Palermitani find a reason and an opportunity for collective identity well summarised in the tagline “Viva Palermo e Santa Rosalia.”
[…] first go wild during the “Festino”, a traditional event with processions, street food, shows and so on. This happens every year, on […]