ROSALIA 400º
A Visual Journey Through Palermo’s Most Iconic Celebration
In July 2024, over 350,000 people gathered in Palermo to celebrate the 400th edition of the Festino di Santa Rosalia, a powerful symbol of faith, tradition, and cultural rebirth. This milestone event transformed the city into a living stage: a grand procession, live performances, and lights filled the streets, honouring Rosalia, the beloved patron saint who, according to legend, saved Palermo from the plague in 1624.
Rosalia became a lasting symbol of hope and protection for the people of Palermo.
We Are the Hope 🌹
On the night of 14 July 2024, during the 400th Festino di Santa Rosalia, Palermo pulsed with an energy unlike any other. The streets sparkled with thousands of lights, and the crowd moved as one, driven by a timeless devotion to the Santuzza.
Music, chants, and a shared sense of awe filled the air, creating an atmosphere thick with faith, emotion, and collective wonder.
As both photographer and native Palermitan, I felt a deep responsibility to capture every nuance of this extraordinary event. Despite the overwhelming heat and crowds, each photo became a search for awe and devotion: gazes glowing with wonder, hands raised skyward, faces marked by exhaustion but full of hope.
That night, Palermo felt suspended between past and present. Sacred tradition and daily life merged, and a shared identity emerged from devotion and pride.
This photo series is a small piece of a centuries-old story. In this historic 400th edition, I had the honour of documenting a moment of profound intensity and beauty. I hope these images allow you to relive the spirit and significance of this celebration, a treasured chapter in Palermo’s living history.
Charlie