Feast of Our Lady of Miracles in Collesano

The event has sixteenth-century origins and celebrates the Virgin, protector of Collesano. The Festival, with a strong sacred character, still pushes many migrants to return to the village to attend the procession in honor of the Madonna and also attracts the charming tourists from the riches of the historical center of the country.

Description of the Feast of Our Lady of Miracles in Collesano

The party starts on 25th April when the framework of the Madonna of Miracles, is moved from the chapel of the Saint Peter Basilica to the main altar and exposed to the veneration of the religious community for a month.

After 30 days, the 25st May, the faithful wake up with 21 cannon shots and with the music of the band that resounds in the streets, then in the evening they gather in the Church for the evening mass.
The following day the community commemorates the Virgin with a procession which opens with the barefoot faithful carrying the candles for the Madonna, then follows the launch with the ex voto. The painting is carried on the shoulders for the entire journey and is never placed on the ground even during the stops for prayers, the fatigue of the carriers is in fact offered to the Virgin as a sign of devotion. The canvas reaches St. Peter's Basilica in the late evening accompanied by the band and the applause of the community while the bells ring in celebration. The event ends with a fireworks display.

The history of the Feast of Our Lady of Miracles

The cult of the Madonna accompanies Collesano from 27 April 1571 when the bells of the Church of the Annunziata, where in the past the canvas of the Madonna dei Miracoli is kept, ring for the assembly without human intervention. The faithful who gather in front of the churchyard seeing the doors of the Church wide open, cry out for the miracle and dedicate April 27 to the Virgin.

After a century, in 1643, the town witnessed another extraordinary event when Collesano was hit by a terrible famine and a consequent increase in the price of wheat. On May 26, the starving population rose up against the owners of the granaries and within hours the town was in turmoil. Again the bells of the Church of the Annunziata Vecchia ring as a sign of assembly and the people flock to the canvas of the Virgin which shows signs of sweating. The miraculous fact convinces the owners of the granaries to offer the wheat for free while the devotees thank the Madonna. The faithful therefore move the date of the celebrations of the Madonna from April 27 to May 26 and still remember the miracle of wheat today.

When the Feast of the Madonna dei Miracoli takes place in Collesano

The event takes place from 25 27 to May of each year.

Where the Feast of the Madonna dei Miracoli takes place in Collesano

The Feast begins with the liturgies at the Saint Peter Basilica and continues with the procession through the streets of the historic centre.

What to do during the Feast of Our Lady of Miracles in Collesano

The Feast of the Madonna dei Miracoli is an opportunity for tourists to discover the artistic and architectural riches of Collesano.

In fact, in the historic center there is the Church of Santa Maria di Gesù, an interesting example of seventeenth-century art. The layout of the building dates back to 1612 and inside you can admire a wooden crucifix by Friar Umile da Petralia and also several canvases from the same period as well as the precious marble Madonna with Child Jesus by Carlo D'Aprile.

It is located in the highest area of ​​the village Borgo Bagherino, the original nucleus of Collesano, where on the top of the fortress there are the ruins of a Castle, an ancient Norman fortress. Not far away is the Church of Santa Maria Assunta with the precious majolica spire and a statue of the Virgin by Antonello Gagini from 1516. The Mother Church today it constitutes the center of the town with the painting of the Madonna dei Miracoli and a few steps away in the Town Hall there is an exhibition not to be missed. It's about the Museum of the Targa Florio with memorabilia, photographs, car parts and trophies that recreate the Targa Florio, the oldest car race in the world.

How to get to Collesano

By car:, from Palermo take the E90 from via Roma and continue on the SS113 to Campofelice di Roccella for 49km. Continue on the SS113 for 3,7km then take the SP9 and follow the directions for Piazza Duomo where the Mother Church is located.