Santa Lucia

The most important religious celebration in Syracuse is held on 13th December, the day of Santa Lucia, the city’ s patron saint. The city honours the saint with a religious procession, vows, festivities and fireworks. As Santa Lucia is considered the protector of eyesight, the faithful attach eyes made of silver, bronze or wax to her image.

In the Iblei towns there are various important celebrations on the Sicilian Register of Intangible Heritage (REIL). These include the feasts of Saints Peter and Paul, and the feast of St. Sebastian, celebrated respectively on 29th June and on 10th August in Palazzolo Acreide, consisting of traditional rites and processions accompanied by sprays of coloured paper ribbons.