Feast of Santa Lucia in Carlentini

Saint Lucia and the boss of the village of Carlentiniin Province of Syracuse. For this reason every year a special party is organized in his honour, a very heartfelt event which brings together many curious and faithful people, coming not only from the village but also from neighboring towns and from abroad, given that over the centuries Carlentini has been the land of important migratory flows but no one wants to give up paying their honors to the patron saint. Below, all the most important information for taking part in the event.

Description of the feast of Santa Lucia in Carlentini

La Feast of Saint Lucia in Carlentini it is the religious celebration in honor of the saint who is there patroness of the city in the province of Syracuse. It is a predominantly religious event, which involves an extremely rigid ritual whose culminating point is the extension of the simulacrum of Saint Lucia. However, over time the event has also taken on more folkloristic characteristics and has become a fixed event in theCarlentini's summer, a moment to make the country and its peculiarities known not only to those who live nearby but above all to tourists who visit month of August they frequent this area of ​​Sicily the most.

The history linked to the feast of Santa Lucia in Carlentini

Saint Lucia it's officially there patron saint of Carlentini since 15 May 1621, even if the devotion towards the Saint is much older. There legend, in fact, it is said that in 301 Lucia passed through these parts, in particular on the Mount Meta, to rest under an ancient olive tree during a long journey. Precisely in that area, the village of Carlentini was founded centuries later. The feast dedicated to the patron saint, however, was decreed in 1872, with precise indications not only for the duration of the feast but also for what concerns the liturgy that must be respected.

When the feast of Santa Lucia takes place in Carlentini

The feast of Santa Lucia in Carlentini, also known as the patronal feast, is held onlast Sunday of August of each year. For this reason the date changes from year to year but it is a fixed appointment for all the inhabitants of the village and beyond. Then, on December 13, which is the day dedicated by the Catholic Church to Saint Lucia, a solemn mass is celebrated in her honor.

Where the event takes place

The event involves the whole town, as the statue of the Saint is carried in procession through the streets of the city. However, the most religious part begins and ends in Mother Church. The rest of the village, in particular the squares and main streets, are the scene of the procession and the more folkloristic festival held in conjunction with the religious celebrations.

What to do during the feast of Santa Lucia in Carlentini

In reality the celebration of Santa Lucia in Carlentini lasts two days, Saturday and Sunday. On both days, the simulacrum of Lucia is carried around the streets of the village, followed by a crowd of penitent devotees who ask for forgiveness for their sins or give thanks for the blessings received. The simulacrum is brought by Devotees of Lucia who are chosen every year from among the most representative characters of the town.
The village, then, is very pretty, so participation in the celebrations can be an excuse to discover some particularities such as the Rupestrian Church of the Crucifix, considered one of the most beautiful rock churches in Sicily or the church of the Immaculate Conception which is the Matrix.
For those who want to know the history and origins of the country, you cannot miss visiting the Carlentini Ancient Crafts Museum, an ethnographic museum containing the reconstruction of 25 workshops and original tools of the time, between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries.

How to get to Carlentini

Those who wish to take part in the celebration of Santa Lucia in Carlentini will be able to reach the village easily with their own car auto. In fact, from Syracuse, in about forty minutes you can reach the destination along the E45, the same road that is also taken from Catania. Those coming from Palermo, however, will first have to take the A19 and then the E932. Finally, from Messina, the reference road is the A18 to travel to your destination.
Carlentini is not served by railway lines but those who wish to reach it on the train you can refer to the one in Lentini which is the closest. From there you can continue your journey with the local bus lines that are made available by the public company AST.