Feast of St. John the Baptist in Vittoria

In Vittoria, the celebrations in honor of the Patron Saint Saint John the Baptist take place on the first Sunday of July and in the month of January.

The celebrations in January remember when, on the occasion of the terrible earthquake of Val di Noto in 1693, the city of Vittoria suffered no damage except for the Mother Church which was completely destroyed. This event was interpreted as the Baptist's willingness to offer the Church named after him to save his city. On the occasion of this event, a great devotion for the Patron Saint was born and the January celebration recalls the episode which is at the origin of so much devotion.

The celebrations of the month of July begin on the night before with the so-called " Viagghiu”, i.e. "journey", a pilgrimage on foot from the neighboring cities that gather to participate in the first Eucharistic celebration of the feast day, at 4.30.
On the feast day, in the afternoon, the solemn procession with the statue of the Saint through the city streets. Some devotees walk the entire route of the procession in prayer and barefoot. At the end of the procession, fireworks conclude the celebrations.

Dates and Scheduling

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