Saint Gaetano Festival and Sea Palio

The Patronal Feast of Portopalo di Capo Passero

The Saint Gaetano Festival is the most cherished religious and cultural event in Portopalo di Capo Passero, a small fishing town on the southeastern tip of Sicily, in the province of Syracuse. Saint Gaetano da Thiene is the town's patron saint, and his feast day falls on August 7th. This date anchors a week of celebrations that turns the village into a grand open-air stage, blending faith, maritime tradition, and conviviality.

The Sea Palio, the Soul of the Festival

The most anticipated and iconic event is the Sea Palio, known in the local Sicilian dialect as "A cursa re varchi" (the boat race). This centuries-old rowing regatta is considered the oldest and most established tradition of the Portopalo summer. Crews, each consisting of four rowers and a coxswain, compete in traditional boats in honor of the patron saint.

The challenge pits the borgioni—the town's historic districts—against one another: Canalazzo, Scalo Mandrie, Porto, and Faro Cozzo Spadaro. The setting is the unmistakable Scalo Mandrie, nestled between the ancient tuna fishery and the island of Capo Passero, while locals watch the race from the typical fishermen's casuzze (small houses) overlooking the sea.

The Cuccagna a Mare and Other Highlights

Alongside the Palio, the famous Cuccagna a mare takes place—a test of balance and skill where participants must capture a flag placed at the end of a long, horizontal, greased pole, which is continuously pulled by ropes. The festival days also include the procession of the statue of Saint Gaetano, moments of deep devotion, beach games for all ages, the Fish Festival dedicated to the local maritime flavors, musical evenings with concerts, and traditional fireworks to close the festivities.

A Heritage of the Fishing Village

The Sea Palio and the Saint Gaetano Festival tell the story of a fishing community deeply connected to the sea and its roots. Supported by the Municipality of Portopalo di Capo Passero and included in the broader summer calendar of southeastern Sicily, the event celebrates ancient maritime traditions and the warmth of this village—one of the southernmost points in Italy, where the Ionian Sea meets the Mediterranean.