From the 3rd to the 5th of February, Catania dedicates a great festival to its Patron Saint “Sant’Agata”
This celebration involves thousands of people with tourists and locals. Processions with fireworks, ceremonies and wonderful historical parades make their way through the streets, illuminated by thousands of lights.
Catania – https://unsplash.com/@samirkharrat
Saint Agatha is compared to the most famous celebrations, such as the Holy Week in Seville and the Feast of Corpus Christi in Cuzco.
Agatha, according to the tradition, was a beautiful young Christian woman from an aristocratic family who lived in Catania in the first half of the 3rd century. She suffered torture and martyrdom for refusing the courtship of governor Quinziano and to defend her faith and moral integrity, she had her breasts torn off and then she was killed.
Catania – Photo https://unsplash.com/@mrpeppeocchipinti
After her death, the city of Catania was threatened by the eruption of Mount Etna. To stop the lava from advancing, the inhabitants used the white veil that was placed over Agatha’s tomb, and here was the miracle: the veil turned red and stopped the eruption on the 5th of February, the anniversary of her martyrdom. Since then as a sign of gratitude, Catania is festively decorated with bright lights.
If you are in Catania during the festival, you must try the ‘olivette di Sant’Agata’, small almond pastries coloured green and covered with sugar.
As well as the olivette, you must taste the ‘cassateddi di Sant’Aita’, also known as ‘minnuzzi’. These are small cakes that resemble breasts, in memory of the martyrdom suffered by the Saint.
