Cuccia Festival in Paceco

Every year, on the occasion of the Feast of Santa Lucia, in Paceco - a locality in province of Trapani - the traditional takes place Cuccia festival, an appointment that now attracts many visitors from all over Sicily and beyond. Those who are curious to know what it is about and what the activities carried out during the event will be able to find all the necessary information below.

Description of the Cuccia festival in Paceco

The traditional Cuccia festival in Paceco is an event held at the Saint Lucia festivities: it's about a typical specialty of the area, halfway between sweet and salty, which comes prepared with chickpeas and wheat and then topped with ricotta cream and mulled wine.

The name cuccia has an ancient but uncertain origin: according to some scholars, in fact, it could derive from the term cocciu which means "grain"; for others, however, it would be a derivation of the verb cucciari, which instead means "to eat one grain at a time". In any case, the celebrations for the patron saint of the town also include the distribution of the doghouse, a delicious dish capable of satisfying both adults and children. Finally, there are tournaments of games and sports, folk events and much more.

The story linked to the Cuccia festival in Paceco

The traditional Cuccia festival in Paceco has a very ancient history. There legend, in fact, wants this dish to have been used for the first time in 1646, to feed the local population that was tried by a terrible and long famine. Thanks to a ship loaded with wheat, therefore, the inhabitants of Paceco and the whole province of Trapani were able to eat, even if the only condiment that was available to accompany the wheat were chickpeas, hence the preparation of this typical dish. Since the ship had to overcome a thousand vicissitudes before arriving in port, the locals attributed this miracle to the benevolence of Saint Lucia and promoted her to patroness of the city.

When the Cuccia festival takes place in Paceco

The Cuccia festival in Paceco takes place every year on 13th December, that is on the occasion of the feast of Santa Lucia, an event of which it is considered a typical specialty. The event lasts one day only.

Where the Cuccia festival takes place in Paceco

The Cuccia festival in Paceco involves the whole village. Indeed the main event, namely the Ship of Providence Parade, unfolds in procession along all the streets of Paceco and so the stands that occupy the main squares of the town.

What to do during the Cuccia festival in Paceco

During the Cuccia festival in Paceco, there are many activities that can be carried out involving an audience of young and old. Obviously the most awaited and followed event is that of the procession of the ship of providence: a very large one paper mache ship is carried in procession through the streets of the village a hand out plates of doghouse to all those who wish, just to remember the episode of the ship and the famine. Then there is a more religious moment which is that of the blessing of the doghouse which takes place at the entrance to the church dedicated to Saint Lucia.

Finally, there are tournaments of historical games such as the sack race, the pan game and the pigatelli game. The event closes with musical and cabaret performances that change from year to year, while the stand that are set up for the occasion and offer local crafts and other food and wine specialities.
If you are in Paceco for the festival, don't miss the opportunity to visit the Salt Museum, within the Saline of Trapani and Paceco, a magnificent nature reserve protected and protected by the WWF.

How to get to Paceco

Those who want to get to Paceco to take part in the Cuccia festival can certainly choose the fastest and most comfortable wayauto.
The village can be reached from Trapani and Palermo up to Paceco by taking the A29 and then continuing on the SS115 to your destination. Despite being so close to Trapani, Paceco also has its own railway station which is located on the Alcamo Diramazione-Trapani regional line. Finally, a service is active bus numbers which goes from Trapani and Palermo to the village and is supplied by the public company AST.