Feast of Maria SS. del Monte

A patronal feast spanning over five centuries

The Feast of Maria SS. del Monte is the beating heart of the identity of Racalmuto, a small town in the hinterland of the province of Agrigento and home to the writer Leonardo Sciascia. Celebrated since 1503, it is one of the oldest and most attended religious events in south-central Sicily: every year, in the second week of July, it attracts thousands of people, many of whom are emigrants returning to their hometown specifically to attend.

The legend of the Madonna's arrival

Tradition tells that the simulacrum of the Virgin, a white marble sculpture from the Gagini school, arrived in Racalmuto in 1503. According to legend, the ox-drawn cart carrying it stopped mysteriously at the entrance to the town: a sign interpreted as the Madonna's desire to remain there. Since then, the Sanctuary of Maria SS. del Monte, reached by climbing the famous staircase, has been the spiritual center of the Racalmuto community.

Rituals that make the Feast of the Monte unique

• The ox-drawn cart: the solemn procession of the statue on a richly decorated cart evokes the moment of the Madonna's arrival through the streets of the historic center.
• The historical pageant: performers in 16th-century costumes reenact the meeting between the local noble families, including the Del Carretto and the princes linked to the town's history.
• The pigliata di lu ciliu: young local men compete for the golden banner placed atop a tall candle ("ciliu"), in a challenge that blends skill, courage, and community pride.
• The prummisiuni: the faithful fulfill their vows by bringing offerings to the Virgin, on foot or on festively adorned horses, climbing the staircase leading to the Sanctuary.

Sounds, lights, and folklore

The festival traditionally opens with cannon fire, the tammuriata, and the entrance of the town band, which enliven the evenings along with the illuminations decorating Piazza Umberto I and the main streets. The celebrations conclude with the final procession of the statue on the decorated cart and the fireworks, the most anticipated and spectacular moment of the entire event.

A heritage of Racalmuto's identity

More than just a religious festival, the Feast of the Monte is a collective ritual that unites devotion, historical memory, and popular folklore. For the community of Racalmuto, it represents an opportunity to reunite, pass down ancient customs, and reaffirm the bond with their land in the heart of Sicily.