Santissimo Crocifisso Festival

The patronal feast of Belmonte Mezzagno

The Santissimo Crocifisso Festival is the primary religious and popular event in Belmonte Mezzagno, a small town in the province of Palermo perched on the hills overlooking the Conca d'Oro, just a few kilometres from the Sicilian capital. Every year, around September 14th — the liturgical date of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross — the entire town gathers around the venerated crucifix icon for a week that combines deep devotion, tradition, and street festivities.

An icon that defines the town

The heart of the festival is the Santissimo Crocifisso icon, an 18th-century cypress wood sculpture housed in the Mother Church, which overlooks Piazza Garibaldi. Over the centuries, the religious identity of Belmonte Mezzagno has been built around this image: the Congregation of the Santissimo Crocifisso, the town's historic confraternity, oversees its worship and organizes the festivities in collaboration with the municipality and the parish.

Sacred rites and popular spectacle

The festival is a succession of events spanning several days. It begins with a White Night featuring street performers, while the main days include the gathering of Sicilian Drummers with majorettes, holy masses with blessings for children and couples, and the characteristic horse race (palio) in honor of the Crucifix, featuring a parade of riders through the town streets.

The highlight is the day of the feast: at dawn, the alborata (morning fireworks) rings out, followed by a solemn mass and musical band performances. In the evening, the procession of the Santissimo Crocifisso winds through the historic center. This is when one of the most moving rituals takes place: the flight of the angels, where two young girls dressed as angels pay homage to the icon. The day concludes with a spectacular fireworks display.

Flavors and entertainment

Alongside the religious dimension, the week offers concerts, cabaret, exhibitions, and sports tournaments. One of the most beloved events is the Scacciata Belmontese Festival, dedicated to the scacciata, the town's typical gastronomic specialty based on an ancient recipe passed down through generations. To close the festivities, the traditional Grand Gala takes place in Piazza Garibaldi, featuring artists and bands from the Sicilian scene.

Experiencing the Santissimo Crocifisso Festival means discovering the authentic soul of a village in the Palermo hinterland, where popular faith and the joy of community animate every corner of the town.