The Feast of “li tri re” in Canicattì

The Feast of the Three Kings in Canicattì, also known as the Feast of Li Tri Re, is an appointment which the local community never misses, as it is quite suggestive and capable of entertaining young and old.

The anniversary has precisely the purpose of honoring the Magi, who, having come from the East guided by the wake of the Comet Star, head towards the cave of Bethlehem to prostrate themselves to the Child Jesus and offer him precious gifts, namely gold, incense and myrrh.

History of the Feast of the Three Kings in Canicattì

The Three Kings Festival in Canicattì was born in 1870 from the initiative of a farrier named Luigi Antinoro, who came up with the idea of ​​organizing a sumptuous party aimed at celebrating the Three Kings.
In this regard, he also founded a special committee at the Church of the Holy Spirit.

When does the Feast of the Three Kings take place in Canicattì

The Feast of the Three Kings in Canicattì takes place on Epiphany day, i.e. January 6 of each year.

Where the Feast of the Magi takes place in Canicattì

The event is held in the city of Canicattì.

What to do during the Feast of the Three Kings in Canicattì

The feast of the Magi in Canicattì begins in the early hours of the morning, during which, inside the Borgalino district, the sound of the bagpipes (called ciaramedde in Sicilian dialect) can be heard as they cross the streets of the city.

Speaking instead of the representation, it is held in the afternoon, when the Magi, riding their horses, leave the churches of Santa Lucia, San Domenico and San Francesco.
To anticipate their arrival there are soldiers, pipers and soldiers in oriental clothes, heading towards Piazza Roma.
Before reaching the latter, Li Tri Re instead go to the fictitious residence of Herod reconstructed on a stage located in Piazza IV Novembre and during the return the winged Angel with a drawn sword warns them of the massacre of innocents carried out by the cruel sovereign.
The aforementioned scene is followed by the Flight into Egypt with Mary, Joseph and Jesus in her arms, accompanied by the sound of bells and bagpipes.
This kermesse therefore proves to be an original alternative to that of the Epiphany and also allows you to taste many typical gastronomic delicacies.
Once the celebrations are over, it is advisable to visit Canicattì, a city full of attractions, starting from the historic center of medieval origins and therefore full of courtyards and alleys in which to get lost.
Among the various churches, the most important is undoubtedly the Mother Church, whose facade was designed by Ernesto Basile.
In Piazza IV Novembre there is instead the statue of a character much revered by the population, namely Father Gioacchino La Lumia.
Finally, attached to the Church of Purgatorio it is impossible not to notice a large fountain containing a statue of Neptune, called by the locals Petreppàulu due to the distortion of the epigraph bearing the inscription lapis ipse loquax (stone that speaks).

How to get to Canicattì for the Feast of the Three Kings

Canicattì is part of the province of Agrigento, which is 38 km away.
If you intend to get here by car, keep in mind that it is crossed by the following four state roads:
- State Road 122 and State Road 640 which connect Caltanissetta with Agrigento;
- State Road 123 which connects Canicattì to Licata;
- State Road 190 which joins Canicattì with the crossroads towards Gela;
- State Road 640 which joins Caltanissetta with Agrigento.
As far as the railway connection is concerned, it is possible to board a train managed by the RFI (Rete Ferroviaria Italiana) company.