Festa FedEricina

A dive into the Sicilian Middle Ages

The Festa FedEricina is one of the most evocative historical re-enactments in Western Sicily. It takes place in Erice, a stunning medieval village perched on Mount San Giuliano in the municipality of the same name, in the province of Trapani. Every year, usually in September, the ancient walls, cobblestone alleys, and numerous churches of the historic center provide the backdrop for three days entirely dedicated to the atmosphere of 14th-century Sicily.

The re-enactment of Frederick III of Aragon

The heart of the event is the re-enactment of the arrival in Erice of Frederick III of Aragon, King of Sicily, accompanied by his wife Eleanor. The royal procession, dressed in sumptuous period costumes, is welcomed at the Porta Trapani by guards, knights, musicians, and commoners, before parading through the village streets. The historical reconstruction captures the charm of an era when Erice was an important stronghold of the Aragonese Kingdom of Sicily.

The Medieval Village at Castello Torre Pepoli

Inside the Castello Torre Pepoli, a genuine medieval village is set up, where visitors can savor specialties of the time such as medieval soup and Hippocras, a cinnamon-spiced wine. All around, there are dances, games, fencing demonstrations, and entertainment moments that engage both adults and children.

Processions, flag-wavers, and folk traditions

• Parades of drummers, musicians, and flag-wavers through the village alleys
• Performances of medieval dances, games, and costumed duels
• Merchants, artisans, and workshops recreating daily life in the Middle Ages
• Evening shows with lights, flames, and historical re-enactments

The Grand Regional Historical Pageant

The highlight of the festival is the Grand Historical Pageant, which brings historical groups and processions from all over Sicily to Erice. The parade winds through the village in an explosion of colors, sounds, and period costumes, turning the event into a regional gathering of folklore and historical re-enactment. The festival is organized by the Gruppo Medievale Monte San Giuliano - Erice with the patronage of the City of Erice.

Erice, an exceptional setting

Few places in Italy are as suited to a medieval re-enactment as Erice: the village, one of the most beautiful in Sicily, preserves its medieval structure intact and overlooks the Gulf of Trapani and the Aegadian Islands from above. Visiting the Festa FedEricina means combining the magic of historical re-enactment with the discovery of one of the island's most fascinating historic centers.