The Three Kings on the Oil Route

The Three Kings on the Oil Route: The Epiphany that illuminates Cassaro

Every year, in the heart of winter, the village of Cassaro — the smallest municipality in the Province of Syracuse, Sicily, and a UNESCO heritage site since 2005 — becomes the stage for one of the island's most beloved Epiphany re-enactments. The Three Kings on the Oil Route blends the sacred and the profane, faith and folklore, weaving religious memory with the rural roots and gastronomic identity of Iblean culture.

Re-enacting the arrival of the Three Kings

The most emotional moment of the festival is the live re-enactment of the arrival of the three Magi — Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar — who ride on horseback through the streets of the historic center. Suddenly, the village lights are extinguished and a large comet illuminates the Magi's path, followed by a striking torchlight procession. The parade makes its way through the village to the church of Sant'Antonio Abate, where the meeting with the Baby Jesus is re-enacted in an atmosphere charged with emotion and popular participation.

Extra virgin olive oil, the soul of the festival

As the name suggests, olive oil is the true star of the event. Cassaro is famous for its prized DOP Monti Iblei extra virgin olive oil, produced from native cultivars such as the Tonda Iblea. Along the "Oil Route," visitors can enjoy tastings, educational sessions, and moments dedicated to olive oil culture, alongside the flavors of typical local products, from cheeses to traditional sweets.

A village that comes to life

For two days, Cassaro fills with folk music, drums, street performances, artists, food stalls, bonfires, and guided tours of the Baroque historic center — rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake — and the remains of the Arab castle from which the town takes its name. The event, organized by the Pro Loco Cassaro APS with the support of the Municipality and local citizens, is listed in the Registry of Intangible Heritage of the Sicilian Region and is considered one of the longest-running festivals in Sicily.

When it takes place

The event is traditionally held around January 5th and 6th, during the Epiphany, when the warmth of the Cassaro community welcomes visitors from all over Sicily for a journey through time, myth, legend, and the flavors of the Iblei mountains.