Palermo Mare Holidays | St. Cosma and Damiano’s feast in Sferracavallo – Palermo

March 7, 2025 By Convenzioni e Sconti, Divertimento, Events and festivals, feste, Senza categoria No Comments

St. Cosma and Damiano’s feast in Sferracavallo

The ballad of the saints and the fireworks

Every year, in the last week of September, the Feast of Saints Cosma and Damiano takes place in Sferracavallo. In addition to the sea and to the delicious food, you can enjoy the famous `”ballad of the saints” and the evocative “fireworks”. In this magical and engaging context, thousands of tourists arrive in Sferracavallo.

The location of Palermo Mare Holidays is ideal for enjoying the holidays. You will be able to see it directly from the balconies or terrace of the structure with a fantastic typically Sicilian atmosphere.

Palermo Mare Holidays offers apartments and rooms to spend your holiday, in the front row, for the patronal feast of the town of Sferracavallo in Palermo.

The famous feast of Sts. Cosma and Damiano takes place every year during the last week of September. From the front row, i.e. the balconies and terraces of the Palermo Mare Holidays tourist facility you can admire the feast of the patron saints of the village of Sferracavallo in its most beautiful phases: the exit of the saints from the church, the ballad with the orchestra and the final entrance.

During the festival, the heavy vara with the simulacra of the Saints is carried through the streets of the village by a large number of young people dressed in white with one red handkerchief tied to their sides and one around their necks, with bare feet.

The ballad of the saints and the fireworks

In ancient times, the celebrations of Saints Cosma and Damiano, protectors of the sick people and the fishermen of the village, took place at a rapid pace in order to bring the simulacra of the saints to all the sick who requested them, asking for freedom from illness or another particular grace. Today, the devotion of the believers brings many tourists from all over the world, especially emigrants abroad eager to see this magnificent event again.

The festival is not only a religious feast, but also a civil celebration: it includes, for example, the game of antinna a mari, a sort of maypole placed on the sea or the traditional and picturesque boat race. The latter is performed on the stretch of sea in front of the village, with flashy colored fishing boats, where each crew consists of four rowers and a helmsman who compete for the final trophy.

The most important day of the feast of Sts. Cosma and Damiano is the last Sunday of September when, around 2 pm, the start of the procession is announced by the continuous ringing of bells.

Hundreds of believers gather in front of the mother church of Sferracavallo to religiously support the peculiar moment of the exit of the martyrs from the sanctuary.

The burdensome vara with the simulacra of the holy martyrs is supported on the shoulders in the streets of the village by a large number of bearers dressed in white with two red scarves tied one to the hips and the other to the neck.

Immediately after the exit, the evocative “ballad” of the vara is performed accompanied by the musical band and the clapping rhythm of the people who extraordinarily crowd the square and balconies.

The procession ends late at night with the theatrical dance of the bearers of the vara and with its overwhelming ascent along via Mariana up to piazza Ss. Cosma and Damiano where the long-awaited “final ballad” is celebrated.

The pyrotechnic games (fireworks) performed in honor of the saints are among the most spectacular ones, and every year they attract to the seaside village an incredible number of spectators from all over the Palermo area.

BOOK now a room or an apartment in front of the church of Sferracavallo and discover the offers by calling

Ph. (+39) 349 6103555.

Palermo Mare Holidays

Via Torretta 7, Sferracavallo – Palermo

www.palermomare.it

Capo Gallo Nature Reserve: Sferracavallo and Mondello

February 19, 2019 By Divertimento, mare, Sea and nature No Comments
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Explore Sicily · Palermo

Capo Gallo: nature between two bays.

Pale rock, Mediterranean vegetation and Palermo’s sea. Discover how to approach Capo Gallo from Sferracavallo and Mondello, choose your experience and plan your visit thoughtfully.

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The Capo Gallo headland and sea seen from the Sferracavallo coast

The outline of Capo Gallo, seen from Sferracavallo.

The reserveAccess and trailsSea and natureBefore you goWhere to stay

A nature reserve on land, protected waters offshore

The Capo Gallo headland separates the bays of Sferracavallo and Mondello. Take time to notice the rocky shoreline, limestone cliffs and colours of the vegetation: this is a natural side of Palermo worth exploring slowly.

The Capo Gallo Nature Reserve protects the land, while the neighbouring Capo Gallo – Isola delle Femmine Marine Protected Area covers the sea. They are distinct protected areas: an accessible walking path does not mean that every activity in the water is permitted.

Approaching from Sferracavallo and Mondello

If you are staying in Sferracavallo, Barcarello is the reference point on the western side. Mondello offers an approach to the eastern side of the headland. Before choosing a walk, ask the managing authority about usable entrances, closures and trail conditions.

The map below retains the names used in our previous guide. It is an archival illustration, not confirmation of currently open routes, available facilities or a continuous connection between the two sides. Do not pass closed gates or enter restricted sections.

The map from our earlier guide

Archival map of Capo Gallo showing the Barcarello and Mondello sides and named trails
Map previously displayed on this website, retaining its original credits. It does not show current trail openings.

Trail names shown on the map

The trails in this guide cover coastal landscapes and inland routes. Choose a walk suited to your experience and check for any temporary closures before setting out.

Barcarello side

Pietra Tara, Costa Sparavento, Gabbiano and Cavaddari.

Inland and higher routes

Piano dello Stinco, Bauso Rosso, Coda di Volpe, Semaforo and Punto Panoramico.

Mondello side

Marinella–Faro.

Sea, scenery and biodiversity

Capo Gallo rewards attention to small details: light on the rock, the shape of the shoreline and the transition from green to blue. Make time for landscape observation and photography at places reached by permitted routes.

For swimming, snorkelling, diving or boat trips, consult the Marine Protected Area’s zoning and current rules. What is possible depends on the zone and activity: check sea conditions and use authorised operators. Caves, including Grotta dell’Olio, should not be treated as freely accessible stops.

Prepare first, then choose your walk

Check the weather, notices and access arrangements before setting out. Bring water, sun protection and footwear suited to the terrain; assess duration, elevation and your return journey against your experience. Arrange a qualified guide for a more demanding excursion.

Keep to permitted paths, do not light fires or collect plants or animals, and take your rubbish away. If you are travelling with children or a dog, request specific advice: a route’s suitability and permission to bring animals should never be assumed.

You can reach Sferracavallo and Mondello by car or public transport, allowing for the final journey to your chosen entrance. Check stops, timetables and parking for your dates; this guide does not promise fixed journey times.

A seafront stay close to the village

Palermo Mare Holidays, at Via Torretta 7 in Sferracavallo, is a base for combining the sea, village walks and visits to Palermo and Mondello. Choose rooms, suites or apartments according to your party size and the space you need.

Return to views of the bay from the panoramic solarium. Private parking on request and airport transfers must be arranged: ask about availability, prices and conditions with your quote.

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Questions before your visit

Can you explore the trails at Capo Gallo?

Yes, you can discover Capo Gallo along trails open to visitors. Choose a route that suits you and check updates from the managing authority to make the most of your walk.

Can you swim at Capo Gallo?

Yes, you can enjoy the sea in areas where swimming is permitted. Consult the Marine Protected Area’s map and guidance, and choose a day with suitable sea conditions.

Can you visit Sferracavallo and Mondello on the same day?

Yes, you can combine Sferracavallo and Mondello in a day, planning your journeys by car or public transport. If you would like to include a hike, ask the managing authority which route is currently accessible.

Official sources and updates: Sicilian Region · Capo Gallo Nature Reserve · Sicilian Region · visiting protected areas · Marine Protected Area · current regulations
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