Santissimo Crocifisso Festival

A devotion spanning over two centuries

The Santissimo Crocifisso Festival is the patronal feast of Villafrati, a small town in the Metropolitan City of Palermo, in the heart of Sicily. Tradition traces the cult back to 1780, the year the crucifix statue arrived in the town; from 1880, the devotion was institutionalized with the founding of the confraternity dedicated to the patron saint. Today, the celebrations have surpassed their 230th edition, a sign of an unbroken continuity that binds generations of Villafrati residents.

When it takes place

The festival falls on the third Sunday of September, the Sunday following September 14th, the day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The celebrations span several days, beginning on Friday and culminating on Sunday. The event is managed by the Villafrati Fest-Art association, which coordinates the secular aspects of the festival each year alongside the community and the parish.

The most evocative moments

The religious heart of the festival is the procession of the statue, during which numerous faithful march barefoot in two long lines with lit candles to fulfill a vow and thank the Crucifix for graces received. The vara (float) bearing the statue is carried on the shoulders of young devotees through all the streets of the historic center.

Among the most beloved traditions is the "flight of the angels" (in local dialect vulata di l'ancili): two children dressed as angels, suspended in the air and supported by ropes, recite praises to the Santissimo Crocifisso and exhort the faithful to have faith. It is one of the most emotional and anticipated moments of the entire celebration.

Caparisoned horses and livestock fair

On Sunday afternoon, the characteristic caparisoning of the horses takes place with the cunnuciuta di torci: riders parade through the main streets on horses and mules, holding the "torci"—oval compositions of paper flowers bearing the effigy of the Crucifix. The animals are finely decorated with wool embroidery, colorful ribbons, and brass bells. In the morning, the livestock and agricultural tool fair evokes the ancient farming vocation of the area.

Music, shows, and fireworks

Alongside the religious rites, there is no shortage of popular festivities: pop music shows in the square, marching bands, folk performances, and the traditional fireworks that close the days. The festival attracts visitors from neighboring towns every year, transforming Villafrati into a hub of encounter and cultural exchange for the entire Sicani Mountains area and the San Leonardo river valley.