Our Lady of the Rosary Festival

A Marian festival in the heart of Sipione

The Our Lady of the Rosary Festival is one of the most cherished devotional events in the town of Rosolini, located in the province of Syracuse, in south-eastern Sicily. The festival is deeply rooted in the Sipione district and centers around the Santa Caterina da Siena Parish, which organizes the festivities in honor of the Virgin of the Rosary every year on the last Sunday of May, in collaboration with the Municipality of Rosolini.

Devotion and procession

The religious heart of the festival is the solemn procession of the statue of the Madonna, which travels through the streets of the district—including Via Sipione, Via Bellini, Via Cernaia, and the surrounding areas—accompanied by a brass band, praying faithful, and the traditional collection of votive offerings. The festival day begins in the morning with church bells and blank shots announcing the start of the celebrations, followed by holy masses and catechetical moments that conclude the pastoral year for children and teenagers.

The popular festivities

Alongside the liturgical dimension, the festival has always offered a rich secular program to enliven the neighborhood evenings: musical performances, dance school exhibitions, lighthearted comedies by local theater groups, games for children with entertainment and bubble shows, and the unmissable food stalls such as the "Sapori di terra nostra" refreshment point, where visitors can savor traditional Sicilian dishes.

A festival of identity

For Rosolini, the Our Lady of the Rosary Festival represents much more than just a religious anniversary: it is a meeting point for the entire community and a moment to celebrate local identity. For the 2026 edition, the Sicilian Region, through the Department of Tourism, Sport and Entertainment, has awarded the event a grant to support its organization and the promotion of the territory.