Feast of San Leoluca in Corleone

In March Corleone celebrates Saint Leoluca, patron saint of the small town in the Metropolitan City of Palermo, where every year the tradition lives on in the Patron Saint.

The history of San Leoluca is ancient and the rites with which the community celebrates the Patron Saint are quite special: alla Procession of the faithful through the streets of the town, in fact, approaches the bonfire ritual of different sizes, lit by Corleone youth, like illuminations with straw and wood at the passage of the fercolo del Santo. Already several days before the Festival, the collection of wood around Corleone brings together young and old of the community.

The importance of the Patron Saint and the veneration of the faithful towards him are such as to give life to a second Feast of San Leoluca in the village, this time celebrated in May, With the Curse of Santu Luca, an event born around the second half of the 1860th century following the revolution of XNUMX. In this festival, the statues of San Leoluca and Sant'Antonio challenge each other in a thrilling race towards the town gates.

The story linked to the Feast of San Leoluca in Corleone

San Leoluca lived in the XNUMXth century and after an initial period spent as a hermit in Calabria, he settled in a convent, embracing a more sociable lifestyle. In the following century, the cult of the Saint was welcomed with enthusiasm in the Corleonese community. In particular, the history of the wood miraclein fact, the faithful pass on the memory of collecting wood in the woods, when San Leoluca, after having collected a lot of wood, transported a load towards the town and on the way he was "chased" by the second bundle of wood. It is for this reason that bonfires of different sizes are still lit during the Feast of San Leoluca in Corleone.

When the Feast of San Leoluca takes place in Corleone

The traditional Feast of San Leoluca in Corleone takes place on March 1st, while the Cursa di Santu Luca is the event that characterizes thelast Sunday in May in the village.

Where the Feast of San Leoluca takes place in Corleone

The Patronal Festival in the town of Corleone, in the Metropolitan City of Palermo, takes place in the historic center and along the main streets of the town.

What to do during the Feast of San Leoluca in Corleone

Those who want to discover the traditions of Corleone, experiencing the atmosphere of the Procession or the Corsa, or strolling among the beautiful lights that light up the first warm evenings of the summer, can book a stay in the town, on the occasion of the Feast of San Leoluca in Corleone.
After taking part in the religious event, it is possible to visit the most beautiful attractions of the historic centre: there are many churches and we point out above all the Mother Church, consecrated to Saint Martin walk, but also the now deconsecrated Church of Sant'Andrea, built on the site of an old mosque.

The Town Hall is located at the City Palace, but equally interesting to visit are the ruins of Sottano Castle, which preserve the origins of the medieval village and the Noble Palace of Via San Martino. Among the other interesting works that can be observed in and around Corleone, there are the Arab Bridge of the Two Rocks, the mills located along the banks of the Corleone stream and the soprano castle (i.e. the Saracen Tower).
In the streets of the centre, you will also come across excellent restaurants and clubs such as bars and patisseries, where it is possible to taste the great classics of Sicilian cuisine: swordfish rolls stuffed with capers, ricotta meatballs and beans with mint, fresh homemade pasta home and delicious desserts, such as Sicilian cannoli or cassata.

How is it possible to get to the Feast of San Leoluca in Corleone

Corleone, in the Metropolitan City of Palermo, is about 58 km from the regional capital and can be easily reached by the train, getting off at the Guadagna station in Palermo and continuing towards the town by bus or shuttle; alternatively, those who want to reach Corleone with the driving feel, you can take the SS 624 from Palermo to San Cipirello and then continue towards the town.