Summer Feast of Saint Paul the Apostle (Patron Saint)

The Patronal Feast of Palazzolo Acreide

In the heart of the Iblei, the town of Palazzolo Acreide, in the province of Syracuse (Sicily), dedicates one of its most intense celebrations in late June to its patron saint, Saint Paul the Apostle. The summer feast, commemorating the Apostle's martyrdom in Rome, brings the Baroque historic center—a UNESCO World Heritage site along with the Val di Noto—to life with three days of rituals, processions, and performances that blend popular devotion with ancient rural traditions.

History and Cult

Saint Paul has been the patron saint of Palazzolo Acreide since 1688, when he succeeded the Madonna Odigitria. However, the cult is much older and rooted in the rural civilization of the Iblei. The heart of the festival is the 16th-century statue of the Saint, housed in the Basilica of Saint Paul, a masterpiece of Sicilian Baroque rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake. The local devotion is also marked by a historic and deeply felt rivalry with the faithful of Saint Sebastian, the city's other major saint.

Key Moments

The festival unfolds over three days packed with events:

• Pilgrimage and Illuminations: The opening is marked by a pilgrimage to the 'San Pauluzzu' district and the lighting of the impressive illuminations that adorn the Basilica and the square.
• The Giro di Gala: Banners, flags, a historic mounted honor guard, and drummers parade through the town streets, accompanied by the local brass band.
• 'A Sciuta ra cammira: The evening unveiling of the 16th-century statue, greeted by the jubilant cries of the devotees.
• The Sciuta: At exactly 1:00 PM, the patron saint's statue exits the church amidst the sound of firecrackers and a scenic shower of nzareddi, the colorful paper ribbons that fill the sky above the square.

Cuddure and Votive Breads

A special mention goes to the cuddure of Saint Paul: votive breads and decorated ring-shaped loaves, often molded into the shape of a snake. The tradition recalls the episode of the Apostle being bitten by a viper and remaining unharmed, and it is rooted in the farming world as a form of protection during the harvest. On the morning of the patronal day, the 'giru ro pani' takes place, featuring the collection of the cuddure pulled on a small cart, along with the blessing and distribution of Saint Paul's wheat ears.

Atmosphere and Tradition

Shoulder-borne processions, concerts in the square, musical performances, and grand fireworks displays conclude the festival in the evening, when the statue returns to the Basilica. The Feast of Saint Paul is inscribed in the Register of Intangible Heritage and represents one of the most authentic events in the religious and popular calendar of the province of Syracuse.