Carnival of Balestrate

Overlooking the Gulf of Castellammare, just halfway between Palermo and Trapani, the town of Balestrate annually hosts an immersive and picturesque carnival From ancient origins.

Description of the Carnival of Balestrate

The event has its highlight in the "Dance of the Shepherds", an attraction that, together with the allegorical wagons and masquerade parties, it attracts more and more tourists. Don't expect to see the faces of beautiful Sicilian women under the veils of the dancers: it is only the men who give life to the dances to the unmistakable rhythm of the tarantella and Mazurka.
Fluffy colored skirts cinched at the waist by satin ribbons, leather ribbons around the legs to support tinkling bells, fur coats on the shoulders, gloves and hats make up the clothing of the "damsels". If, on the other hand, the fur is worn over the shoulder and the ribbons crossed on the chest, you are admiring the "knights".
The Dance of the Shepherds requires skill and a good memory: in fact, it is a question of performing 10 different figures in one quadrille which begins in front of the house of the dancer who commands the dances, continues at the police station and the residences of the nobles. A glass of wine was the prize that the wealthy local families offered to the dancers in exchange for their show.

During a self-respecting carnival, the allegorical wagons and Carnival of Balestrate is no exception. The extraordinary skill of Sicilian artisans gives life to multicolored characters in cartapesta: fantastic animals, subjects inspired by everyday life, fairy tales or cartoons in a fashion show full of creativity, irony and beauty. This is not a themed carnival: those who participate during the parties, private parties or the parade of the floats can give free rein to their imagination.
Nice prizes are awarded to the most beautiful masks, generally on the last day of the carnival. If you like to dress up and want to be the protagonists of the party together with the inhabitants of Balestrate, you can participate in the competition and maybe win the prize for the Original Mask, for the Masked Group or for the Sympathy Mask!

The origins of the Carnival of Balestrate

La history of the Carnival of Balestrate is not clear but the very characteristics of the Dance of the Shepherds, as well as the popular stories that surround it, provide us with important indications.
In fact, it is said that the surly owner of a flock did not grant his shepherds permission to participate in the carnival celebrations that took place on Mondays and Sundays. One year, however, the stubborn shepherds managed to reach the party on Tuesday, when the celebrations were now over. However, the circumstance did not dishearten them: they dressed up as knights and ladies and gave birth to wild dances and a tradition that still lasts today.
The figures that make up the quadrille, then, suggest that it all began in the 800s. In 1985 the first allegorical floats appeared and since 2001, thanks to the commitment of the III Millennium Association, the Carnival of Balestrate has seen a strong promotion, becoming the main tourist attraction of the city.

When and where the Carnival of Balestrate takes place

If you intend to participate in this Carnival rich in history and folklore, keep an eye on the website of the Municipality of Balestrate and of the III Millennium Association which organizes the event. Shrove Tuesday and the Sundays that precede and follow it light up with fun thanks to the animation of the masked groups and the allegorical floats that invade the streets of the historic center. Veglioni and parties are also held in private homes and clubs from the month of January: events you can participate in with your disguise or simply following the carts and admiring the brighter and more colorful face of the ancient village of Balestrate.

How to reach Balestrate

By car:, if you are coming from Palermo, the easiest way to reach Balestrate is via the E90: once you have taken it, you need to follow it for around 45km until you reach the Balestrate exit. Then continue for a further 2,5 km on the SP17 up to the center of the town.
If instead you leave from Trapani, take the A29dir/E933 and then the A29/E90 in the direction of the SP17 Partinico, always exiting at Balestrate. In both cases, the route requires the payment of a toll.