The St. Lucy's procession in Syracuse is, togheter with Santa Rosalia in Palermo and Sant'Agata in Catania, one of the most important religious events in Sicily. It takes place every 13th December to celebrate the martyr of Syracuse. After lunch (about 3 pm), the silver statue of St. Lucy which is preserved in the cathedral all over the year, is taken out to Piazza Duomo. The square is crowded with people who want to see the procession. St. Lucy is the patron of Syracuse. The men of the brotherhood of the "green berets" carry the antique silver statue. After an initial firework, the procession moves to the Aretusa spring.Nearby the statue walk the archbishop, the major and the carabinieri in dress uniform. The silver reliquary with a bone of St. Lucy is also part of the procession and carried by women. After the Aretusa spring, the statue moves to Porta Marina and then to the Umbertino bridge to exit from Ortygia.
Syracuse) and the choir responds "Evviva Santa Lucia. After walking a part of Corso Umberto, the statue turns right in Viale Regina Margherita. The final destination is the basilica of St. Lucy in piazza Santa Lucia. The procession is closed by the antique senate's carriage. A lot of people touch the silver statue of St. Lucy asking for protection. Near piazza Santa Lucia takes also place the St. Lucy market. A lot of peolple love the market where it is possible to do low cost shopping. Clothes, toys, candies and much else is sold there. At dinner time (about 8-9 pm, it's unpredictable !) the procession reaches piazza Santa Lucia. Tradition says it is the place where she was killed by romans in the 4th century a.D. A new great firework accompanies the entrance of the silver statue in the basilica. Seven days after there'll be an other procession, the "Ottava" which will take St. Lucy back to the cathedral in Ortygia. During this second procession, Lucy of Sweden accompanies the statue. St. Lucy is also an important event in Sweden where every year a young girl is elected as Lucy of Sweden, queen of the light. In the cathedral the statue will be closed in its chapel until May when the feast of St. Lucy of quails occours.Useful T
ips
- Moving by car is very difficult that day (13th December). Best is parking outside Ortygya (for example at the Molo San Antonio Parking). If you arrive late also this parking could be full
- The most interesting moments are the exit frome the cathedral (about 3 pm) and the arrival to the basilica (about 8-9 pm)
- The St. Lucy market is a good place the buy some cheap Christmas presents
