Feast of Sant'Agata

From 3 to 5 February Catania celebrates Sant’Agata, the patron saint of the city, with a wonderful festival. A silver “vara” (float), with a bust containing the relics of the Saint is tirelessly pursued by a procession of hundreds of “devout” citizens clothed in the traditional “sacco” (a white tunic tied with a cord, black cap, handkerchief and white gloves), holding on to two cords of over 100 metres in length. The float is followed by eleven "cerei" or "cannalori", high wooden columns that represent the guilds of the artisans and trades of the city.