Saint Anne Patronal Feast

A devotion spanning centuries

The Saint Anne Patronal Feast is the most anticipated moment of the year in Castelbuono, a medieval village perched in the heart of the Madonie Park, in the province of Palermo. The festival celebrates the town's patron saint, whose devotion is linked to a precious relic: the Sacred Skull of Saint Anne, kept in the Palatine Chapel of the Ventimiglia Castle. Tradition holds that the relic, after being stolen, was solemnly recovered and returned to Castelbuono in 1615, the year Saint Anne was proclaimed the community's patron.

The days of the festival

The festivities take place between July 17th and 27th, unfolding in two major phases. The novena, from July 17th to 24th, guides the community with morning masses and evening processions of the Saint's statue through the various districts of the historic center. The atmosphere builds day by day, reaching its peak between July 25th and 27th.

The Pageant of the Keys and the Ventimiglia re-enactment

July 25th is the day of the famous Pageant of the Keys: in an evocative historical pageant in costume, the return of Prince Giovanni III Ventimiglia with the relic of Saint Anne is re-enacted. The keys to the city are symbolically handed over to open the reliquary, in a ritual that intertwines civic memory and religious fervor. The evening of July 27th is dedicated to the solemn procession of the Sacred Skull, which travels through the town accompanied by the relics of Blessed Guglielmo and the statue group of the Madonna of the Rosary, with the participation of traditional confraternities.

Between sports, music, and fireworks

Alongside the religious dimension, the festival offers a rich secular program. On July 26th, the International Road Race of Castelbuono takes place, considered the oldest road race in Europe, held uninterruptedly since 1912 and capable of attracting world-class athletes to the historic center. There is no shortage of brass bands enlivening the squares, concerts, shows, and the inevitable fireworks display that closes the festivities.

Castelbuono and the Madonie

Visiting Castelbuono during the Saint Anne Feast means discovering one of the most fascinating villages in Sicily: the Ventimiglia Castle, the Old and New Mother Churches, the historic squares, and typical flavors, from the famous manna extracted from ash trees to traditional pastries. An event that tells the story of the deepest identity of the municipality and the Sicilian Region, where popular faith merges with history, the nature of the Madonie Park, and the hospitality of the locals.