Feast of Saint Maurus the Abbot
The patronal feast of Aci Castello, blending faith, sea, and fireworks
About Feast of Saint Maurus
A devotion with ancient roots
The Feast of Saint Maurus the Abbot is the patronal festival of the municipality of Aci Castello, in the province of Catania, in the heart of the Cyclops Riviera overlooking the Ionian Sea. The cult of the saint has deep historical roots: the church dedicated to him already existed in the second half of the 16th century. According to local tradition, the statue arrived in the village on a French ship that ran aground on the lava rocks of the coastline. Since then, the people of Aci Castello have renewed their bond of faith every January 15th, passing it down from generation to generation.
The statue and its history
The heart of the festival is the exquisite wooden statue of the saint, covered in silver and a mixture that gives it a golden finish. The statue survived the bombing of July 21, 1943, intact, an event that further increased its popular veneration. Housed in the Mother Church, it is revealed to the faithful during the solemn 'unveiling' ceremony, accompanied by the saint's hymn and the waving of white handkerchiefs.
The day's program
The festival, preceded by a three-day period of preaching, opens in the morning with the unveiling in the church and the solemn pontifical mass. In the afternoon, the statue is placed on the 'vara' (processional float) and accompanied in a procession through the town center, featuring the blessing of children and the collection of offerings as a sign of gratitude for graces received.
- Morning: Unveiling of the statue with a floral tribute and solemn pontifical mass
- Afternoon: Departure of the float and procession through the town streets
- Porta Messina: The traditional 'Angel's Descent', where a small angel figurine descends from above onto the square
- Marina: Prayer for peace and blessing of the sea
- Piazza Castello: Grand firework display, with aerial and water-based fireworks, at the foot of the Norman castle
A defining moment for Aci Castello
The Feast of Saint Maurus is much more than a religious celebration: it is a defining event that brings together the entire community of Aci Castello and attracts visitors from all over eastern Sicily. Amidst the illuminations, market stalls, and the intimate atmosphere of the seaside village, the festival offers an authentic glimpse into Sicilian popular tradition, framed by the stunning backdrop of the castle and the sea.
Feast of Saint Maurus — edition 2026
On Thursday, January 15, 2026, Aci Castello renewed its devotion to its patron saint, Saint Maurus the Abbot. At 10:00 AM, the unveiling in the church, with a floral tribute and the saint's hymn, preceded the solemn pontifical mass presided over by Monsignor Antonino Raspanti, Bishop of Acireale. In the afternoon, from 3:15 PM, the float arrived on the church square for the departure of the statue and the blessing of the children, followed by the long outdoor procession through the town streets until 9:00 PM.
In the evening, the blessing of the sea took place at the Marina, and at 9:30 PM, the grand firework display in Piazza Castello featured both aerial and water-based pyrotechnics. Around 10:00 PM, the return to the Mother Church along Via Re Martino concluded a highly attended day of celebration.
Programme Feast of Saint Maurus 2026
- 10:00 — Unveiling of the statue in the church with floral tribute and Saint Maurus' hymn
- 10:00 — Solemn pontifical mass presided over by Monsignor Antonino Raspanti, Bishop of Acireale
- 15:15 — Arrival of the float at the square, departure of the statue, and blessing of the children
- 15:15-21:00 — Outdoor procession through the town streets
- 21:00 — Blessing of the sea at the Marina
- 21:30 — Firework display in Piazza Castello (aerial and water-based fireworks)
- 22:00 — Return to the Mother Church along Via Re Martino and closing of the saint in the chapel
Highlights Feast of Saint Maurus 2026
Prices Feast of Saint Maurus 2026
Practical information — Feast of Saint Maurus
Getting there
Aci Castello is located a few kilometers north of Catania, along the SS114 state road. By car, it can be reached from the A18 Catania-Messina motorway (Acireale exit) or from the Catania ring road. By train, the reference station is Catania Centrale, connected by AMTS buses. Catania-Fontanarossa Airport is about 12 km away.
When and how much
The festival takes place every year on January 15th. Admission is free. For information: Municipal Tourism Office, tel. +39 095 7373421.
Tips
Parking is recommended in areas outside the historic center, which is closed to traffic during the procession. In the evening, it is advisable to dress warmly to attend the blessing of the sea and the fireworks on the seafront.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Feast of Saint Maurus
Chiesa Madre San Mauro Abate e centro storico
Via Dante 28, 95021 Aci Castello