Feast of San Giuseppe in Villalba

La Feast of San Giuseppe in Villalba is an unmissable appointment which includes various celebrations of a religious nature, the traditional bell ringing in honor of the Saint, the processional procession through the streets of the locality, the blessing of Vecchierelli's tables plus the distribution of bread.

History of the Feast of San Giuseppe in Villalba

The festival has very ancient origins and has been handed down for centuries from generation to generation to thank the patron saint of the city for having caused a miracle to happen or for having fulfilled a vow.
In the past, the women of the village also used to prepare a lunch for the poorest elderly people, affectionately called "vecchiarelli", which had to be at least three per table.
An embroidered tablecloth was never missing on the tables, the St. Joseph's bread and many desserts such as cannoli, zippuli and sphinxes.
Once the hearty meal was over, diners would return home with bags full of delicious supplies.

When the patronal festival takes place in Villalba

The Feast of San Giuseppe in Villalba is celebrated twice a year, i.e. on 19 March , Sunday following Ferragosto.
The most important event is held on this last date.

Where the Feast of San Giuseppe takes place in Villalba

The Feast of San Giuseppe is held in Villalba, a town of almost 1500 inhabitants located in the province of Caltanissetta.
The event occupies the central area of ​​the locality.

What to do during the Feast of San Giuseppe in Villalba

During the Feast of San Giuseppe you will have no way of getting bored, as you will be able to take part both in the procession with the simulacrum, a sculpture created by Filippo Quattrocchi in the eighteenth century and housed inside the Mother Church.
However, it must be specified that the celebrations already begin the day before the Sunday after mid-August, as the suggestive is held torchlight procession towards the Chapel of the Holy Family, the performance of the musical band plus the symbolic delivery of the keys of Villalba to San Giuseppe.

During the feast day, once the solemn mass is over, we proceed with the blessing of the old men's table plus the distribution of bread to the faithful.
The end of the event is instead announced with the fireworks display.

Since you end up in Villalba, it is worth carving out a few hours to visit both the historic center full of narrow streets and the beautiful Mother Church, erected on May 4, 1828 also thanks to the economic contributions and the labor of the citizens.
The facade of the building, made of carved stone, has two orders, while the central portal is flanked by fake columns carved inside the wall.
On the left side there is a very high one Bell tower dominated by a mechanical clock.

How to get to Villalba

Villalba is about an hour awayauto from Caltanissetta and to reach it it is necessary to pass through the Provincial Road 42 or through the State Road 122 BIS and the State Road 121.