Feast of the Holy Crucifix in Bonagia

A festival born from the sea of Bonagia

The Feast of the Holy Crucifix in Bonagia takes place every year on the third Sunday of July in the ancient fishing village of Bonagia, a hamlet of the municipality of Valderice, in the province of Trapani (Sicily). The event, organized by the Associazione SS Crocifisso Bonagia APS, is deeply rooted in the maritime traditions of this stretch of coast, dominated by the historic Tonnara di Bonagia, a symbol of the ancient red tuna fishing industry.

The wooden Crucifix and the Tonnara Chapel

At the heart of the festival is an ancient wooden Crucifix, kept in the Tonnara Chapel, built in 1749 by Baron Antonio Stella to protect the village from pirate raids. The statue is the object of deep devotion by the tonnaroti (tuna fishermen) and local families, who have always entrusted the Crucifix with the protection of their community and those who go to sea.

The procession and the harbor salute

The religious program begins on the Friday before the feast, when the statue is transferred in a suggestive torchlight procession from the Tonnara Chapel to the Church of Sant'Alberto. On Sunday, the historical procession winds through the village streets, culminating in the return of the Crucifix to the Tonnara, the emotional salute from the harbor, and the fireworks display over the sea, the most anticipated moment of the entire celebration.

Side events and Trapani gastronomy

Alongside the religious rites, the festival days animate the square and the Tonnara area with numerous popular events:

• concerts, dance evenings, and dancing in the square;
• cabaret shows and theatrical comedies;
• traditional games for children and teenagers, exhibitions, and tournaments;
• food festivals featuring local specialties, from sausage sandwiches to fried pizza, and traditional hot sfince.

A tradition continuing since 1986

Since 1986, the procession of the Holy Crucifix has marked the summer life of Bonagia, attracting residents, returning emigrants, and visitors. The festival represents a fundamental identity-building moment for the hamlet and the entire Valderice territory, capable of weaving together the spiritual dimension with the historical heritage of the Tonnara and the typical hospitality of the Trapani coast.