Historical Pageant of Saint Rita of Cascia

One of Sicily's most beautiful historical re-enactments

The Historical Pageant of Saint Rita of Cascia is one of the most cherished events in the town of Castelvetrano, in the province of Trapani, in the heart of the Belice Valley. Every year in May, the city's historic center turns into a vast open-air stage where religious devotion and historical pageantry merge into an event that attracts thousands of faithful and visitors from all over Sicily. The re-enactment is officially recognized by the Ministry of Culture as an important Italian historical event, a distinction that highlights its cultural and identity-forming value.

The life of Saint Rita in seven tableaux vivants

The heart of the event is the performance of seven tableaux vivants depicting the life of Saint Rita of Cascia: from her childhood with her parents to her marriage, the tragic assassination of her husband, her widowhood, her entry into the monastery, and finally her stigmatization and glorious passing. Each scene comes to life in a different city square, decorated with drapes and flowers, where performers in period costumes embody the most significant moments of Rita's human and spiritual journey.

A procession in Aragonese Castelvetrano

The parade transports spectators back to the Castelvetrano of the 16th century, when the city was an important center tied to the Aragonese nobility. The procession is led by the local aristocracy, headed by Prince Carlo d'Aragona e Tagliavia and his consort, Princess Margherita Ventimiglia, followed by the civic deputation and the Captain of the People. Hundreds of costumed figures, flag-wavers, drummers, and medieval musicians accompany the route, while jesters, jugglers, and actors animate the streets with music, songs, odes, and sonnets, immersing the public in a true medieval atmosphere.

The route and the squares

The procession starts from the Saint Rita staircase in Piazza Stazione and winds through the historic center, touching the main city squares, including Piazza Nino Bixio, Piazza Regina Margherita, Piazza Carlo d'Aragona, and the famous Sistema delle Piazze. The climax takes place in front of the Church of the Purgatory, where, to the beat of Aragonese drums, Carlo d'Aragona e Tagliavia is proclaimed Prince of the City.

Tradition and identity of Castelvetrano

More than just a parade, the Historical Pageant of Saint Rita is a profound element of the identity of Castelvetrano and the entire Belice Valley. The event involves associations, flag-waving groups, and musicians from various parts of Sicily, and stands as one of the main highlights in the Trapani province calendar, successfully uniting popular faith, historical memory, and spectacular scenography.