Feast of Santa Febronia in Palagonia

In month of June in Palagonia, a municipality in the Metropolitan City of Catania in central-eastern Sicily, the whole local religious community celebrates the Patron Saint of the country: it is the Feast of Santa Febronia in Palagonia, an event of ancient origins which, through a series of moments dictated by tradition, brings back the entrance of Santa Febronia into Paradise every year, paying homage to the Saint and thanking her for the graces received.

Between solemn religious celebrations in the Church and real moments of popular life, the Festa di Santa Febronia in Palagonia lasts for an entire week, during which the key events of the festival are the split or pignu andopening of the sacellum, with the Procession of the faithful who follow the simulacrum of the Madonna from the Mother Church to the Church of the Madonna of Trapani.

Between music, sports and shows, the whole town takes part in the celebration and the challenge for theBell Auction, which will entitle the winner to ring the bell during holidays.

The importance of the patron saint of Palagonia is such that the town celebrates her in different months of the year, with various activities such as the opening of the sacellum, the parade of virgins, solemn Masses and tastings of typical local products.

The history of the Feast of Santa Febronia in Palagonia

The history of the Feast of Santa Febronia in Palagonia has very ancient origins, which have their roots in the sixteenth century, when it was celebrated for the first time in the town, with the Procession that followed the newly sculpted simulacrum, the same simulacrum that the faithful still follow Today.

Celebrated at the Mother Church of Palagonia, Santa Febronia has been the patron saint of the town for centuries, so much so that her arrival in the village is narrated by aancient legend: in 1624 the relics of the Saint were destined for Militello, but a violent storm forced the friar carrying the relics to stop at the Caves of the Coasts, without ever reaching Militello, blocked by the rain in every attempt to leave the village. Taken as a sign by the Saint herself, the friar left the relics in Palagonia, where today they are exhibited to the faithful at theByzantine hermitage of Santa Febronia.

When does the Feast of Santa Febronia take place in Palagonia?

The official date of the celebrations in honor of Santa Febronia is the 24nd June. Other festivals in his honor are held in August, September and January.

Where the Feast of Santa Febronia takes place in Palagonia

The Feast of Santa Febronia in Palagonia takes place in the village, at the Mother Church, along the main streets of the centre, where the Procession passes and at the Church of the Madonna of Trapani.

What to do during the Feast of Santa Febronia in Palagonia

Organizing a holiday in Palagonia is the ideal solution to fully experience the festive atmosphere of the town, participate in the Procession and also discover all the beauties of the town and its surroundings.

In the center, start your walk from Piazza Garibaldi and continue by visiting the Mother Church , Church of the Madonna of Trapani; moving away a little from the center, you will find the Rocchicella, an archaeological park of considerable historical interest and the Early Christian Basilica of San Giovanni, from the XNUMXth century AD A monument to the more recent past of the town is instead that of Pozzo Blandini, used starting from the XNUMXth century to extract water for the citrus groves in the area.

If you wish to add a visit to a large city to your stay, we advise you to reach Catania, just 38 km from Palagonia.

How to get to Palagonia

Palagonia, in the Metropolitan City of Catania, can be reached both by car, from the A19 Palermo-Catania taking the exit for Sferro-Gerbini, both on the train, getting off at Catania Central Station and continuing to the center with bus or shuttles.