The Feast of the Patron Saints Rosalia and Prospero in Centuripe

One of the unmissable events not only for the citizens of Centuripe but also for those who want to immerse themselves in Sicilian culture and folklore is certainly that of Feast of Santa Rosalia and San Prospero in Centuripe, the two patron saints of the town. The party that is organized every year for their celebration mixes faith and folklore in an irresistible mix that attracts many visitors to each edition.
For those who want to take part, here is a small guide with the most useful information to better organize your trip.

The Feasts of the Patron Saints in Centuripe

Santa Rosalia and San Prospero are the patron saints of Centuripe and this eagerly awaited event during the year is dedicated to them, a four-day celebration that includes not only religious celebrations but also entertainment of all kinds as well as appointments dedicated to food and wine and local craftsmanship.

Every year the event attracts thousands of faithful and simply curious people because, in addition to the symbolic value of the celebration, the event is also very interesting from the point of view of folklore because the statues of San Prospero and Santa Rosalia are life-size and in particular, that of the saint is embellished with a powerful armor in solid silver which was made in the last years of the 1800s.
The last day of the event, then, is dedicated to the so-called San Prospero Fair, with stands and shows and an exhibition of farm animals.

The history of the Feast of Santa Rosalia and San Prospero in Centuripe

The history of the celebrations dedicated to Santa Rosalia and San Prospero is quite uncertain but something can be reconstructed thanks to some historical documents which, at different times, report news of the event. Around 1680 some Augustinian Fathers they brought to Centuripe some relics of the saint, who actually has Palermo origins, and decided to proclaim her patron saint of the town.

However, we have to wait until 1700 to read that some religious people from a convent in Centuripe asked the Holy See of Rome to be able to have some relics of Saint Prospero who was then declared co-patron saint of the city by will of Don Arcangelo Maccarone, who also had a wooden bust of the saint made to spread the cult throughout the territory. From that moment on, the custom of celebrating the two patron saints together came into use in mid-September.

When the event takes place

Every year, from 16 to 19 September, Santa Rosalia and San Prospero, the two patron saints of the Sicilian town, are celebrated in Centuripe. The festival lasts 4 days since 16 September is the date dedicated to Santa Rosalia, during which the statue of the martyr is carried in procession through the streets of the town.

On the 17th it is instead the turn of San Prospero who follows the same route while on the 18th the relics of San Prospero are taken first to the church of Sant'Agostino and then around the neighborhoods of Centuripe. Finally on the 19th the two statues are brought back inside the Mother Church which is the one in which they are kept all year round. The celebrations are concluded with a solemn mass which is celebrated on the evening of the 19th, in the presence of the faithful and local authorities.

Where the Feast of Santa Rosalia and San Prospero is held in Centuripe

One of the peculiarities of the celebrations dedicated to San Prospero and Santa Rosalia is that they take place throughout the town. Every district of Centuripe, in fact, has the honor of receiving a visit from the statue of San Prospero and therefore the faithful can feel involved in the event regardless of the area of ​​residence.

As for the Fiera di San Prospero, however, the event is held in the open space in front of the sanctuary of the Madonna of Lavina, where the blood orange festival and other events which annually attract numerous visitors to this delightful town in the province of Enna also take place.

What to do during the event

In the first days of the event, the celebrations are mainly of a religious nature, with the solemn procession carrying the statues of the saints around the city.
Certainly, however, it is the final day of the Feast of Patron Saints that attracts the attention of numerous visitors given that, in addition to the holy mass which marks the end of the religious part, it is also the day in which Matrix square the food and wine stands are set up and the farm animal fair is organized which attracts farmers from all over Italy but also simple enthusiasts of the sector.

The program, then, is enriched every year with live musical performances, theatrical performances with local popular companies and other entertainment that seeks to be in particular line with the local cultural tradition, which has a thousand-year history.

How to get to Centuripe

Centuripe is easily accessible by various means of transportation, so it's the perfect stop for a cultural day trip or a longer vacation. Those traveling by car will have to take the A19 motorway from both Palermo and Catania, take the Catenanuova exit and then continue on state road 121 or 192 which lead directly to Centuripe.
Alternatively, it is possible to reach the locality by train, but there is no railway station in the town, therefore it is necessary to stop in Catenanuova and from there continue to the destination using the regional bus service which operates every day of the week. Provincial buses are also scheduled from Enna, Catania and Palermo and include a stop in Centuripe on their way.

© Riccardo Spoto at Italian Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Riccardo La spina, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons