Feast of San Sebastiano in Acireale

The Feast of San Sebastiano in Acireale lasts a whole month, from Triduum on Vigil, with moments of great solemnity and devotion, in which the faithful attend the opening of the chapel, participate in the Procession and at Masses in honor of the Patron, they get up at dawn to attend the unveiling.

In January, in the beautiful Acireale in the province of Catania, the new year opens with the celebrations in honor of San Sebastiano: one of the most beautiful religious festivals in the entire town is dedicated to the patron saint, much awaited by the faithful and full of ancient ones traditions that come back to life every year.

During the Procession, the simulacrum of San Sebastiano travels on an ancient 700th century fercolo through the streets of the centre, while the bells ring in celebration and at sunset, the sky is lit up by fireworks. Before the festival ends, having arrived near the Basilica, the faithful launch into a wild race towards the churchyard, to return the statue of the Patron Saint to its place.

The story linked to the Feast of San Sebastiano in Acireale

The Feast of San Sebastiano is a Feast from ancient origins: co-patron of Acireale next to Santa Venera, San Sebastiano has won the devotion of the faithful since the fifteenth century, when his cult began to spread. The French Saint had saved the people from plague, after the faithful had turned to him praying for the healing of the sick.

The Saint had been chosen by the faithful, because he was considered capable of healing from arrow wounds, very similar to the wounds caused by the plague. Thus it was that San Sebastiano became the Patron Saint of Acireale.

The relics of San Sebastiano are kept in the beautiful Cathedral of Acireale from 1652.

When the Feast of San Sebastiano takes place in Acireale

The Feast of San Sebastiano takes place on 20 January, even if in reality the celebrations for the Patron Saint take place throughout the month.

Where the Feast of San Sebastiano takes place in Acireale

The Acireale Festival takes place at the Basilica of St. Sebastian, but the stages of the Procession in the center are different, from Piazza San Domenico to Via Vittorio Emanuele II.

What to do during the Feast of San Sebastiano in Acireale

By choosing to organize a stay in Acireale during the Feast of San Sebastiano, you will double the beauty of your holiday: not only will you be able to visit all the attractions of the centre, but you will also be able to capture the true spirit of the town, between devotion, enthusiasm and fun.

And then, start to anticipate the Old Town of Acireale, rich in many monuments: starting from Piazza Duomo, you can admire 4 of the most beautiful buildings in the center, such as the Cathedral of Maria Santissima Annunziata of the fifteenth century, the splendid baroque palace of the Municipality built in 1640, the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul with the XNUMXth century bell tower and the Modò Palace, which was the seat of the city theater until the first post-war period. By participating in the Festival, you can also admire the Basilica of St. Sebastian.

By going to Piazza Garibaldi, you will find the Monument to the Fallen, while also the outskirts of Acireale, offers you small pearls of neoclassical style, such as the Thermal baths of Santa Venera, surrounded by a delightful English garden. Not far away, you will also find the most recent ones Baths of Santa Caterina, to carve out a few moments of pure relaxation during your holiday. For a foray into local culture, visit the Opera dei Pupi Museum of Acireale, where you will discover everything about the famous puppets of the Sicilian tradition.

If in the center you will find interesting addresses such as Piazza Europa and Piazza San Biagio, in the surroundings of Acireale you can explore the Wood of Aci, Timpa Nature Reserve and Aci Castello, while to get to Catania, it takes only 19 km.

Once there, enjoy mussels au gratin and swordfish rolls, risotto with parsley or pasta seasoned with Sicilian pesto, and then close the meal with a cannolo or the exquisite cassata.

How it is possible to get to Acireale

Acireale, in the Metropolitan City of Catania, can be reached both by car and by train: whoever arrives in the car, from the A18 Messina-Catania, can turn directly at the exit for Acireale, while those arriving on the train, will have to get off at the Acireale station, which is located 1 km from the centre.