Carnival of Cinisi

Allegorical floats and traditional masks, folk groups and live shows, rain of confetti in the month of February: all this, and much more, awaits you at Carnival of Cinisi and for the occasion, the historic center in the province of Palermo dresses up for a party, wearing its funniest masks.

Along the streets of the center, pass the parade of allegorical floats, carefully prepared every year and directed following U Nannu, typical mask of Cinisi, who leads the procession through the streets of the town. In Cinisi, the Carnival is a party that still retains its subversive and at the same time cathartic spirit, where everyone can enjoy themselves in company, between jokes and games, shows and music.

A typical tradition of the island, which can still be seen today during the Carnival of Cinisi, is the Historical Cavalcade, which takes place on Shrove Monday before the party.

During the Shrove Tuesday, traditionally, a "funeral procession" which follows through the streets of the village Nannu mask, which as soon as they arrive in the square, is burned in front of everyone, to symbolize purification and renewal.

The story linked to the Carnival of Cinisi

The history of the Carnival is very ancient: this Festival has its origins in ancient Rome with the Saturnalia, or 7 days of celebration dedicated to divinity of Saturn. These celebrations had a propitiatory purpose and were aimed at invoking well-being for the community and an abundance of the harvest. Many centuries later, during the eighteenth century, the Carnival Festival was enriched by what have become new traditions and so the carts that in ancient times were transported by animals were replaced by papier-mâché puppets made for the occasion; a century later the Carnival had become one of the most loved festivals by the population of the whole country, but in Sicily there were now special local traditions, such as the Historical Cavalcade and traditional masks like that of U Nannu, the King of Carnival.

Today the Carnival of Cinisi is one of the most awaited festivals by the community and still brings the ancient traditions to the streets.

When the Carnival of Cinisi takes place

Carnival is a moveable Feast, the end of which must coincide with Lent. That's why, every year, the dates of the Carnival vary, but the Festival is generally always celebrated in month of February.

Where the Carnival of Cinisi takes place

The Carnival takes place in the historic center of the town of Cinisi, in the Metropolitan City of Palermo.

What to do during the Cinisi Carnival

Choose your mask and throw yourself into the fray of the Cinisi Carnival: follow U Nannu and let yourself be guided through the funniest days of the year in Cinisi! You can then also discover all the beauties of the place and taste typical dishes and special recipes, specially prepared for the Carnival period.

A visit to the centre, in Cinisi, can start from Cathedral of Santa Fara, which was born in the seventeenth century and today also houses the Catacombs complex, another of the unmissable destinations during a stay in Cinisi. Here you can admire sacred canvases, ancient wooden statues and sacred vestments, made of silk and gold.

Among the other churches in the centre, we also point out the Church of the Ecce Homo, Church of the Holy Souls , Church of Santo Canale with the Convent, while the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Furi it is located just outside the town, about 4 km from the centre.

In addition to the churches, in the village you can also admire the Town Hall (which was originally a Monastery of the Benedictine Order), as you head towards the northern coast, you will come across Pozzillo Tower; the other Watchtower which is part of the historical-artistic heritage of Cinisi is Mulinazzo Tower and is located inside the Falcone e Borsellino Airport of Punta Raisi.

In Cinisi, you can enjoy the best of food Palermo, tasting the tasty aubergine caponata or a tantalizing fried fish, to then delight the palate with traditional desserts, from cannoli to cassata or taste the exhaust, typical sweets of the Carnival.

How is it possible to get to Cinisi for the Carnival

Cinisi, in the Metropolitan City of Palermo, can be easily reached, both by car and by train. From the A29 Palermo-Mazara del Vallo, who arrives by car you can take the Cinisi exit directly, just 2 km from the town; from Punta Raisi Station, who arrives on the train you can take buses or shuttles to the centre, just 3,5 km away.