On February 3rd, the city of Catania lightens up for the feast of Saint Agatha, its patron saint.
The ceremony of candle offerings moves from the Church of Sant'Agata alla Fornace, the place where the young saint was martyred, to the cathedral of Piazza Duomo, where her relics are preserved. In this ancient procession, the locals follow the cannalore or candelore, enormous gold-plated wooden constructions representing the guilds and jobs of the city.
Thanks to these eminent and heavy baldaquins, brought on the shoulders of townspeople with a swaying motion, the city’s darkness of sins is brightened up. The church of San Francesco all’Immacolata hosts six of the eleven cannalore representing: fruit sellers (adorned with four swans), market-gardeners, pasta makers, cheese sellers, innkeepers, and bakers (the most heavy of all).
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