Feast of Saint John the Baptist

The patronal feast of Vizzini

In the heart of the Calatino district, on the southern borders of the province of Catania, the town of Vizzini dedicates one of the most heartfelt religious festivals in the region to its patron saint, Saint John the Baptist. The celebrations are concentrated in the final days of August, from the 27th to the 29th, culminating on August 29th, the day the Church commemorates the Beheading (the martyrdom by decapitation) of Christ's precursor.

Three days of devotion

The festivities open on August 27th with the mass that concludes the preparatory triduum in honor of the saint. On August 28th, the town comes alive with music, featuring performances and concerts that accompany the vigil. The highlight is August 29th: in the afternoon, the characteristic auction of gifts offered to the saint by the faithful takes place, a popular tradition where products and offerings are auctioned to support the festival. In the evening, following the symphonic music concert and the Eucharistic celebration, the solemn procession of the statue through the main city streets begins.

The fercolo and the procession

The most anticipated moment is the exit of the 16th-century fercolo, which carries the statue of Saint John the Baptist in procession. The religious pageant winds through the historic center amidst the participation of the faithful, accompanied by the marching band, and concludes with the act of entrusting the city to the saint and the fireworks display that illuminates the village sky.

The Basilica of Saint John the Baptist

The heart of the celebrations is the Basilica of Saint John the Baptist, formerly known as the "Church of the Vineyards." The building underwent several construction phases: expanded by the Municipality of Vizzini in 1528, it was rebuilt in 1721 based on a design by Antonio Bonaiuto from Syracuse, becoming the largest church in the city, and completed in 1860 by local master builder Giuseppe Failla. With a Latin cross layout and three naves, the basilica is distinguished by its rich Baroque facade and stone bell tower. Inside, it houses a precious work, the Madonna of Succour attributed to Mario Minniti, a disciple of Caravaggio.

Vizzini, the land of Verga

The festival is also an opportunity to discover Vizzini, a Sicilian village with deep Baroque roots, immortalized by the writer Giovanni Verga, who set famous pages of his work, such as "Cavalleria Rusticana," here. Among alleys, staircases, and churches, the town preserves an atmosphere that becomes even more intense and authentic during the days of the patronal feast.

2026 Edition

The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been officially announced. The recurrence, fixed and ancient, is traditionally celebrated around August 27th-29th: the detailed program is usually released by the parish and the festival committee in the weeks leading up to the event.