Audiotour Candelore

You should be aware that the celebration held in Catania in honor of Saint Agatha is of such grandeur that it has been deemed the third most significant religious festival globally, surpassed only by Seville's Holy Week and the Feast of Corpus Christi in Cuzco, Peru. During the festivity, tens of thousands of faithful and curious spectators converge here, eager to personally partake in a celebration so rich in folklore that it merits experiencing at least once in a lifetime.

Among the many folkloric elements of the celebration are the "candelore," generously presented by diverse civic groups to the Patron Saint. What precisely are these "candelore"? They are colossal, gilded candlesticks, adorned with intricate sculptures of angels, statues, and scenes illustrating the Saint's martyrdom. Carried in procession by devoted members of respective civic groups, these majestic artifacts exhibit a characteristic, almost hypnotic, swaying motion known as "a nnacata" as they traverse the city's thoroughfares.

In this segment of the audio guide, we will delve into their historical significance and meticulously describe each of these remarkable displays for you.