Feast of the Madonna degli Infermi (Patron Saint of Raffadali)

A devotion born from a vow

The Feast of the Madonna degli Infermi is the patronal festival of the town of Raffadali, in the heart of the Agrigento province, Sicily. The devotion dates back to 1479, when, according to tradition, a monk was visited in a dream by the Virgin during a terrible plague epidemic: within a few weeks, the contagion ceased, and the inhabitants attributed the end of the scourge to the Madonna. Since then, the Madonna degli Infermi became the town's patron saint, replacing the ancient protector Santa Oliva. According to legend, the Virgin also protected Raffadali from the devastating earthquake of 1693.

The statue and the Mother Church

The heart of the festival is the venerated wooden statue, carved in 1585 by the sculptor Nicolò Buttafuoco and kept in the town's Mother Church. Legend has it that it was carved from a tree trunk whose roots flowed with miraculous water. During the festival days, the effigy is dressed in a splendid azure mantle, cared for by local seamstresses, and carried in procession through crowds of faithful.

A week of celebrations

The festivities span an entire week, between the second and third Sunday of July. The religious calendar includes solemn masses, barefoot pilgrimages, and moments of prayer. The arrival of pilgrims from nearby Aragona at dawn on the Saturday preceding the third Sunday is particularly moving. The solemn procession, the most anticipated moment, takes place on the third Sunday, starting from the Mother Church: the statue travels through the streets of the historic center, followed by a large crowd that accompanies it until late at night.

The fair and the pezzetto

Alongside the religious dimension, the festival retains a strong popular soul. Throughout the week, the historic fair — once known as the "fera di li malati" — is held, featuring stalls, local products, and handicrafts. Unmissable is the pezzetto, an ice cream with a characteristic triangular prism shape that has become a symbol of the Raffadali festival. The festivities conclude at night with an impressive fireworks display that illuminates the sky above the still-crowded square.

Experiencing the festival in Raffadali

For visitors, the Feast of the Madonna degli Infermi is the perfect opportunity to discover an authentic village in the Sicilian hinterland and a tradition that, for over five centuries, has united the entire community of Raffadali beyond religious affiliation. The dates for the 2026 edition are known, while the detailed program of individual events is announced by the Municipality and the Parish in the preceding weeks.