Festino di Santa Rosalia Festival in Sicily (July each year)
Festino di Santa Rosalia
The Festino di Santa Rosalia Festival in Sicily, commonly known among the local people as the “u fistinu,” which literally means “little festival,” is one of the oldest festivals celebrated in Sicily. Celebrated in honour of St. Rosalia, the patron saint of Palermo, this age old tradition is associated with a charming little tale.
According to the legend, in the early seventeenth century, the city of Palermo was attacked by the plague and people died in large numbers. St. Rosalia showed herself to a humble shepherd and requested him to retrieve 
her bones and take them through Palermo in a grand procession. The shepherd obeyed her and in the process, the city was cured of the plague. The grateful people made her the patron saint and set aside a day in her honour.
The festival, which is annually held for 11 days in the months of July, August, or September, comprises grand processions, fireworks shows and music. The relics of Santa Rosalia, which are usually placed in the Duomo, are carried through the streets on a huge float in a gala procession accompanied with music. The celebrities culminate in a huge fireworks show by the seashore.
The little festival presents a great opportunity for tourists and visitors to taste traditional Sicilian delicacies such as zeppole and sausage and peppers, vastedde, panelle, arancine and cannoli stuffed with imported ricotta, frutta martorana and buccellati.
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