Madonna di Buonriposo Feast / Sausage Festival / Palio dei Berberi

A celebration of faith and tradition in the heart of Sicily

The Madonna di Buonriposo Feast is the most cherished event of the year in Calascibetta, a hilltop village in the province of Enna, Sicily. Every year, during the first weekend of September, the town gathers to honor Maria Santissima di Buonriposo with three days that blend the spiritual depth of a pilgrimage with the popular spirit of a festival and a palio.

The rock-hewn sanctuary and the legend

The religious heart of the event is the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Buonriposo, built on the site where, in the late 19th century, sulfur miners discovered a rock formation resembling the Virgin Mary. According to legend, when they attempted to move the image, it became impossibly heavy, leading to the decision to erect the sanctuary exactly on that spot. On Saturday morning, the faithful make a pilgrimage to the sanctuary for Holy Mass.

The Sausage Festival

Running alongside the religious celebrations is the Sausage Festival, one of the most famous in central Sicily, recognized as an 'Authentic Festival' and awarded the 'Quality Festival' status. The event is rooted in the ancient rural tradition of butchering and roasting meat on-site; today, it serves over two thousand sausage sandwiches accompanied by live music, dancing, and traditional folk games like l'antinna (the greasy pole) and the pignateddi.

The Palio dei Berberi

The most anticipated moment is the Palio dei Berberi, an equestrian race with ancient origins dating back to the Arab presence in the area, around the time of the Kalat-Shibet fortress. The horses, the true stars of the show, are ridden bareback, tackling an uphill dirt track scented with wild thyme and herbs, racing toward the finish line at the chianu a cursa. It is one of the rare surviving re-enactments of the Berber equestrian tradition in Italy, a symbol of Sicily's Arab-Norman heritage.

The procession and fireworks

The festival concludes on Monday afternoon with the procession of the Virgin's statue through the streets of the town, followed by a spectacular fireworks display. The three days are framed by concerts, folk performances, marching bands, and artists who bring the squares of Calascibetta to life until late at night.