Saint George Festival

One of the most heartfelt patronal festivals in southeastern Sicily

The Saint George Festival is the most significant religious and popular event in Modica, a Baroque city in the province of Ragusa recognized by UNESCO as part of the Val di Noto heritage. Dedicated to the city's patron saint, the Holy Knight depicted in the act of slaying the dragon, the festival is considered one of the most attended patronal celebrations in all of Sicily, second only to Saint Agatha in Catania and Saint Rosalia in Palermo.

The Triumphant 'Sciuta' and the run of the sangiorgiari

The highlight is the Triumphant Sciuta (the 'exit'), the emergence of the saint's silver statue and the reliquary Ark from the Saint George Cathedral, a masterpiece of late Sicilian Baroque that dominates the staircase of Modica Alta. The statue, crafted by a Neapolitan artist in the second half of the 19th century, is carried on the shoulders of the sangiorgiari, the devotees who move at a fast pace and, in some sections, literally make the fercolo run through the city streets, emulating the gallop of the saint's horse.

The exit takes place amidst a shower of confetti and colorful flyers thrown from balconies and the explosion of daytime fireworks, in an atmosphere of great collective emotion. The long procession winds through the main arteries of the historic center, including Corso San Giorgio, Corso Umberto I, and the streets of Modica Bassa, concluding late in the evening with the return to the Cathedral, the traditional laps through the aisles, the final blessing, and a spectacular musical fireworks display.

Faith, history, and tradition

The devotion of Modica to Saint George dates back to 1063, when, according to tradition, the Grand Count Roger of Hauteville proclaimed the saint as protector after the victory in the Battle of Cerami against the Saracens. Since then, the figure of the knight has become an integral part of the city's identity, also fueling the historic local rivalry with the festival of Saint Peter, the other patron of Modica.

The festival program

The celebrations span several days and combine liturgical and popular dimensions:

• Children's Eve: the moving procession of the "Little Saint George," a smaller reproduction of the statue carried by the city's youth;
• Solemn Eucharistic celebrations in the Cathedral, with the participation of religious and civil authorities;
• Exit of the Holy Reliquary Ark and blessing of the city;
• Triumphant Sciuta of the statue with daytime fireworks and a solemn procession through the city streets;
• Brass band parades, fireworks, and a final musical fireworks show.

An experience in the heart of Baroque Sicily

Experiencing the Saint George Festival means immersing yourself in the most authentic soul of Modica and the entire municipality: the scent of local specialties, from the famous PGI Modica chocolate to traditional sweets, accompanies the festive days, while the scenery of the Iblean Baroque frames one of the most spectacular rites in Sicily. An unmissable event for those who want to discover the popular and religious traditions of the Sicilian Region.