“U Fistinu” is the name that the Palermitani give to the big and most important celebration of the year, the memorial of the miracle that saved the city of Palermo from the terrible plague pandemic of 1624.
The miracle was made by Santa Rosalia or, as called in Sicilian dialect: “A Santuzza.” Or, Palermo's Saint Rosalie, as she is known in English.
The celebration starts on July, 10th and it lasts 5 days until the 15th, the day when Santa Rosalia's urn is marched through the city in a grand procession. It's when the mortal body of S. Rosalia travels through the streets of Palermo's historic city center.
During the 4 days that precede the procession, 2 programs are planned: one religious with liturgical celebrations and exhibitions dedicated to the Saint and many re-enactment shows.
The second program is connected to city hall. There is a huge parade, on the 14th of July, carried out from the Cathedral
located in Corso Vittorio Emanuele with the last stop in the “Foro Italico” located at the end of the street Corso Vittorio Emanuele.
For the event, a big float is built with the statue of Saint Rosalia. People from all over the city walk behind the float and ehen the parade and the huge crowd arrives at Foro Italico, there is always a spectacular firework show and everyone yells out: “Viva Palermo e Santa Rosalia,” long live Palermo and Saint Rosalie. During this time in Palermo, some streets are also decorated with lights, pictures of the Saint, and altars with her statue.
Over the years “il festino,” as the Santa Rosalia party is nicknamed, became more and more important, full of meanings, scenographies, and choreographies connected to the tradition and the religious cult.
The festino attracts people from every part of Sicily and amazes tourists that, for the occasion, participate in the celebration in July.
Then in September, there is the feast in the Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia in Monte Pellegrino and the Palermitani people do the “Acchianata”, a pilgrimage by foot running across one ancient path of about 4 km.
the Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia, on the top of Mount Pellegrino in Palermo includes one wall dating back to 1600, next to the rock and the cave of Saint Rosalia, located almost at the highest point of the mountain. Inside it is possible to admire the statue of the Saint. The famous statue is of her lying with her head resting on her right hand.
The sanctuary has always been a sacred place. King Carlo III of Borbone, gifted the Palermitan senate precious ornaments to decorate and honor the statue. The statue's body is covered with a damask dress all in gold and her head is adorned with a crown made with golden roses. Between the fingers of her left hand she has a crucifix and one book.