The cult of St George in Sicily
Detail
Among the places of worship and devotion in Sicily, those dedicated to the cult of St George are particularly popular, not only with the faithful during festivals and pilgrimages, but also with tourists, visitors and walking enthusiasts who wish to combine spirituality, natural beauty, history, legends and works of art.
The cult of St George, attested in Sicily since the 5th century, gained significant momentum after the Battle of Cerami (1063), the victory in which against the Muslims is attributed by the Normans to the saint’s apparition on a white horse. In another popular legend, Saint George defeats the devil disguised as a shepherd from Mount Etna. Let’s discover together the places where the connection with the saint who slays the dragon is strongest…
RAGUSA
In Ragusa Ibla, a jewel of Sicilian Baroque architecture, Saint George is the city’s patron saint. The festival usually takes place on the last weekend of May or the first weekend of June and features a spectacular ‘dance’ of the statue, accompanied by a long procession. The symbol of the “Holy Knight” is the Cathedral of San Giorgio: one of the region’s most magnificent buildings, with a slender façade adorned with columns, niches, sculptures and an imposing dome that dominates the historic centre. The interior, bright and elegant, houses works of art of great value in a solemn atmosphere, striking a perfect balance between art and spirituality.
MODICA
In Modica, the Feast of St George is celebrated on the last weekend of April and sees the saint carried on the shoulders of bearers in a frenetic procession, ‘a Sciùta’, during which the bearers literally run through the streets of the town, simulating the gallop of the ‘Saint on Horseback’. The Cathedral of St George, nothing short of majestic at 62 metres high with 250 steps leading up to the entrance, is a unique place, steeped in charm and opulent beauty. Among the treasures found inside is one of Sicily’s marvellous sundials. The most attentive fans of Inspector Montalbano will recognise the building as one of the most iconic film sets in the TV series based on the novels by Andrea Camilleri.
GIOIOSA MAREA
Moving to the province of Messina, in Gioiosa Marea, the cult of St George takes the form of one of Sicily’s most original maritime traditions: in the hamlet named after the saint, a distinctive procession at sea takes place on the last Sunday in April. The centrepiece is the painting depicting the saint, carried by boat by the fishermen—of whom he is said to be the patron—and by the faithful who turn out in droves for this unique maritime pilgrimage.
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