Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel

A patronal feast in the heart of the Hyblaean Mountains

The Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel is the main religious festival of Palazzolo Acreide, a Baroque town in the province of Syracuse nestled in the Hyblaean Mountains and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Saint Michael is one of the two patron saints of the town (along with Saint Paul), and his feast, celebrated every year on the first Sunday of October, involves the entire community in a week of religious celebrations, traditional rituals, and popular festivities.

The sciuta and the processions

The heart of the festival is the "sciuta", the solemn exit of the Archangel's statue from the Church of Saint Michael. At 1:00 PM sharp, the statue is carried on bare shoulders by devotees, acclaimed by the sound of bells, the firing of mortars, and the throwing of traditional "nzareddi", the colorful paper streamers that flood the square. A procession through the streets of the historic center follows, with many women accompanying the statue barefoot as a sign of devotion. In the evening, a second procession crosses the town, accompanied by spectacular fireworks.

Rituals and traditions

The festival preserves ancient rituals deeply rooted in the local identity:

• The presentation of children: little ones are lifted before the statue to entrust them to the Archangel's protection;
• The launch of paper hot-air balloons, made by the committee members and released from the square in front of the church;
• The Voce dei Piccoli Festival, a historic singing competition for children;
• The Giro di Gala, featuring a parade of banners, standards, a marching band, and flag-wavers;
• The Velata of the statue, a ceremony that closes the festivities on the Sunday of the Octave.

The statue and the church

The statue of Saint Michael is covered in a precious gold breastplate made of ex-votos donated by the faithful over the centuries, a testament to popular devotion. It is kept in the Church of Saint Michael, rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake that devastated the Val di Noto, featuring its characteristic bell tower enclosed by a dome. The main feast is preceded by the vigil: on the evening of September 28, the "sciuta ra cammira" takes place, the exit of the statue from its chamber, while liturgical celebrations are held on September 29. A secondary celebration occurs on May 8, commemorating the apparition of the Archangel on Mount Gargano.

Experiencing the festival in Palazzolo Acreide

Participating in the Feast of Saint Michael means immersing yourself in the authentic religious tradition of Hyblaean Sicily, amidst popular spirituality, fireworks, and the atmosphere of Palazzolo Acreide's Baroque historic center. The festival represents one of the strongest identity markers for the community and attracts visitors from across the province of Syracuse and the entire Sicilian Region.