Feast of San Giorgio in Prizzi

La feast of San Giorgio in Prizzi is the traditional event dedicated to Patron saint that every year the inhabitants of the village in the province of Palermo organize to honor such an important figure for the whole community. It is both a religious and folkloric occasion given that, together with the celebrations of faith, there is also a more worldly event which is the cattle festival. For those interested in taking part, here is all the information you need to visit the feast of San Giorgio in Prizzi.

Description of the feast of San Giorgio in Prizzi

The religious celebration of the feast of San Giorgio in Prizzi starts on the morning of April 23 with the holy mass. Then the statue of the saint, which is usually kept in the mother church, is carried in procession through the streets of the town. At the end of this celebration, the most folkloric part of the day begins, with the famous St George's Fair which is a zootechnical exhibition, one of the three that are organized every year in the town. Of course there is no shortage of food and wine stands which offer the best of local cuisine and which represent another major attraction for the many visitors who attend the event every year patronal feast of Prizzi. Finally, at the end of this intense and evocative day, there is the fireworks show which every year involves international experts in the sector.

The story linked to the patronal feast of Prizzi

Prizzi's devotion to San Giorgio has been attested since 1561 when what is now the mother church was built on a pre-existing chapel. In reality, however, the cult of the Saint dates back to the XNUMXth century, as evidenced by a story by Jacopo da Verazze which dates back to that century. According to legend, in Silene, Libya, there was a dragon that lived in the lake and endangered the population. The citizens, to appease his hunger, fed him two sheep every day but when the animals began to run short, he switched to the girls. One day the knight Giorgio was in those parts and, coming to find out what had happened, he faced and killed the dragon. The inhabitants of Silene decided to convert to Christianity in honor of the knight but when the emperor came to find out, he had Giorgio tortured and killed, who did not abjure his faith.

When the feast of San Giorgio takes place in Prizzi

The feast of San Giorgio in Prizzi is held every year on the day of 23th April, which is the one that the Catholic Church dedicates to the figure of the saint.

Where the patronal feast of Prizzi takes place

The religious celebration is mainly held in the Old Town and the centerpiece of the celebrations is the mother church. The cattle fair, however, is held in Zachia districtin the Forum Boarium.

What to do during the feast of San Giorgio in Prizzi

Those who take part in the feast of San Giorgio in Prizzi will be able to take advantage of the opportunity to also visit the village, full of suggestive corners. Among the monuments not to be missed, there is the Prizzi Castle, which dates back to the XNUMXth century, but also the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate, which also houses the statue of the Madonna and Child, made in the sixteenth century. Nature lovers, in the immediate vicinity of the village, can visit the Monte Carcaci Nature Reserve, to do trekking and admire local flora and fauna. While in the archaeological Museum you can admire artifacts belonging to different eras.

How to get to Prizzi

Those who wish to reach Prizzi to take part in the feast of San Giorgio can do so by car, traveling along the SS118 from Palermo while from Trapani the recommended route is the A29 followed by the E933. For those who move from Catania, on the other hand, they may prefer the A19 while from Messina it is advisable to take the A20 first and then the E90. All visitors departing from Syracuse will be able to take the A19 and then the E932, finally from Enna it will be necessary to travel only on the SS189.

Prizzi does not have its own railway station so if you prefer to travel on the train it will be necessary to have the Roccapalumba-Alia station as a reference and from there continue with the lines of bus numbers made available by the public company AST.