Sicilian TraditionsSicilian Traditions

Practically all Sicily traditions revolve around or Practically all Sicily traditions revolve around or are in some way related to the church. are in some way related to the church. Superstitions and celebrations are as much a Superstitions and celebrations are as much a part of the Sicily culture as are the language, part of the Sicily culture as are the language, cuisine and art. cuisine and art.

Most Sicilians are devout Roman Catholics and Most Sicilians are devout Roman Catholics and very superstitious.very superstitious.

Going to the church and lighting a candle is a Going to the church and lighting a candle is a big part of Sicily culture. Prayers are always said big part of Sicily culture. Prayers are always said for the sick and the dying, as well as the dead.for the sick and the dying, as well as the dead.

The TrinacriaThe Trinacria

Even though Catholicism is the Even though Catholicism is the major religion today, there are still major religion today, there are still remnants of the old “pagan” remnants of the old “pagan” religion. religion.

The Trinacria, a symbol that is seen The Trinacria, a symbol that is seen on many buildings and now graces on many buildings and now graces the official Sicilian banner, is a the official Sicilian banner, is a symbol that was originally put on symbol that was originally put on pagan temples, to scare off pagan temples, to scare off invading armies.invading armies.

The main feastsThe main feasts

Carnivals are a famous part Carnivals are a famous part of Sicily culture. Floats are of Sicily culture. Floats are large and decorative. large and decorative. Booths line the city squares Booths line the city squares during carnival. during carnival.

Fireworks are popular and Fireworks are popular and food is everywhere.food is everywhere.

Other than the religious Other than the religious festivals of Easter, festivals of Easter, Christmas and other Christmas and other holidays, carnivals are holidays, carnivals are considered the most considered the most important events of the year.important events of the year.

Santa RosaliaSanta Rosalia Among local religious cults, the Among local religious cults, the

celebrations in honour of the celebrations in honour of the patron saint. patron saint.

The most famous of these The most famous of these is the so-called FESTINO is the so-called FESTINO in Palermo (13-15 July), in Palermo (13-15 July), characterised by the characterised by the processions of the processions of the "Triumphal Chariot" and "Triumphal Chariot" and of the silver urn of the of the silver urn of the "Santuzza", as the people "Santuzza", as the people of Palermo call their of Palermo call their patron Saint.patron Saint.

SourcesSources

http://www.sicilytourist.net/tradition.htmlhttp://www.sicilytourist.net/tradition.html http://www.visitpalermo.it/palermo_eng.htmlhttp://www.visitpalermo.it/palermo_eng.html

SourcesSources

http://www.sicilytourist.net/tradition.htmlhttp://www.sicilytourist.net/tradition.html http://www.visitpalermo.it/palermo_eng.htmlhttp://www.visitpalermo.it/palermo_eng.html