Festival of the Most Holy Crucifix
The ancient cult of the wooden Crucifix among the villages of the Madonie
About Crucifix Festival
A devotion spanning over three centuries
In the heart of the Madonie Park, in the province of Palermo, the town of Polizzi Generosa celebrates its most iconic event every year: the Festival of the Most Holy Crucifix. Documented since 1679, it is among the oldest and most deeply rooted traditions of this Sicilian village. At the center of the cult is a wooden Crucifix created in 1680 by the Palermo sculptor Francesco Gallusca, of the school of Fra' Umile da Petralia, and housed in the Church of the Carmine.
The ancient rites of the community
The festival is marked by a sequence of rites passed down through generations, many of which retain their original Sicilian dialect names. The "scinnuta du Signuri" (the descent of the Lord) opens the festivities: the Crucifix is taken from its chapel and brought to the square for the blessing of the countryside and the crops, a gesture that inextricably links devotion to the mountain's agricultural cycle. The "furriata du Patri Nuastru", at dawn, sees the brass band parading through the town streets with cheerful tunes, while the "arricugghiuta da cira" is the evocative collection of lit candles.
The processions and the "nudi"
The most intense moment is the solemn procession, during which the statue is carried by the so-called "nudi", devotees dressed in white with a red sash around their waists, some of whom walk barefoot as a vow. The route winds through the alleys and squares of the historic center, accompanied by confraternities and the entire population. Each year, a different member of the Deputation of the Most Holy Crucifix takes on the role of "depositario", the guardian and organizer of the festival.
Polizzi Generosa, a village to discover
Listed among the most evocative villages in inland Sicily, Polizzi Generosa offers visitors a heritage of churches, noble palaces, and panoramic views of the Madonie. The May festival is the ideal opportunity to discover this corner of the province of Palermo, experiencing firsthand a popular tradition that weaves together faith, music, and collective identity, and which invariably concludes with evening fireworks displays.
Crucifix Festival — edition 2026
The program of rites
The 2026 edition was spread over the usual four days in the Madonie village of Polizzi Generosa (PA), blending popular faith and tradition.
- May 1st — "Scinnuta du Signuri": the Crucifix is taken from the chapel and brought to the Church of the Carmine for the blessing of the fields and crops. In the afternoon, blessing of the bread arranged in a cross shape.
- May 2nd — Liturgical celebrations in the morning, brass band through the town streets, and around 9:00 PM, the evening vigil procession with the "u nicu" statue, followed by fireworks.
- May 3rd — At 4:00 AM, the "furriata du Patri Nuastru" with the band; in the afternoon, around 5:00 PM, the solemn procession with the "nudi" and the "arricugghiuta da cira". In the evening, a fireworks display.
- May 4th — Final "scinnuta" with the final blessing, Holy Mass, and proclamation of the new depositario.
Programme Crucifix Festival 2026
May 1st — Opening
- Morning — "Scinnuta du Signuri": removal of the Crucifix from the chapel and transfer to the Church of the Carmine for the blessing of the countryside
- Afternoon — Blessing of the bread arranged in a cross shape at the depositario's house
May 2nd — Vigil
- Morning — Liturgical celebrations and Holy Masses
- Early afternoon — Brass band parade through the main streets of the town
- Around 9:00 PM — Evening vigil procession with the "u nicu" Crucifix statue (17th-century work)
- Followed by — Fireworks display
May 3rd — Solemn Day
- 4:00 AM — "Furriata du Patri Nuastru": the band parades through the town with cheerful tunes
- "Arricugghiuta da cira" — collection of lit candles offered by devotees
- Around 5:00 PM — Solemn procession with the Crucifix adorned with flowers and candles, carried by the "nudi" (devotees dressed in white with a red sash)
- Evening — Fireworks display
May 4th — Conclusion
- Morning — Final "scinnuta du Signori" and blessing of the countryside
- Holy Mass and proclamation of the new depositario for the following year
Highlights Crucifix Festival 2026
Prices Crucifix Festival 2026
Practical information — Crucifix Festival
How to get there
Polizzi Generosa is located in the heart of the Madonie, in the province of Palermo. By car, it can be reached from the A19 Palermo-Catania motorway (Tre Monzelli or Scillato exit) and then via the SS643. The reference train station is Roccapalumba-Alia, which is then connected by bus services.
When
The festival takes place every year from May 1st to 4th. The main rites and processions are concentrated between May 2nd and 3rd.
Costs
The event is religious and popular in nature: access to the celebrations and processions is free and open to all.
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Where does it take place — Crucifix Festival
Chiesa del Carmine