The Night of Sant'Agata

Available only on February 5th, for a maximum of 4 guests. Every February 5, Catania turns white. For centuries the city has honored Sant'Agata, its patron saint, in one of Europe's largest religious gatherings, drawing hundreds of thousands of people who fill the streets in the traditional "sacco", a white robe devotees wear as a vow. Guided by Marina, a photographer and writer, you will move through the heart of the celebration, following the procession and the "rito della cera", the rite in which devotees carry large votive candles as an offering to the saint. Marina's eye and knowledge of the event give you close access to its most charged moments. Walking Catania's historic center along via Etnea, you will pass the most significant sites of the Agatine celebrations, observing the preparations, the faces of the devoted, the candelore, the prayers and gestures passed through generations, and the emotional participation that makes this celebration unique in the world.

The Festa di Sant'Agata is often counted the third largest Christian festival in the world, and it carries the soul of Catania. During the night when the celebrations reach their peak, you enter the most authentic side of the city. You'll understand the meaning of the great votive candles, the role of the confraternities that carry them, the story of Agata's martyrdom, and the bond that has tied the saint to her people across the generations. For photography enthusiasts, the festival offers endless material: candlelight against the dark streets, the white of the sacchi, the details of the candelore, the expressions of the devoted, and and a community that recognizes itself in a centuries-old tradition. Marina was born and raised in Catania and she knows the city, the festival and every rite connected to it intimately. Her presence puts you right at the heart of the community: you are no longer a spectator but a participant who feels the full emotional intensity of the moment.

Marina Mongiovì is a photographer and writer based in Palermo. Her photographic work focuses on street photography. Her images have been exhibited at the Palermo's Centro Internazionale di Fotografia, as part of group exhibitions curated by renowned photojournalist Letizia Battaglia. She has exhibited in Rome as a finalist in an international open call organized by Roma Fotografia, and has held two solo exhibitions in Catania. Photography and writing run alongside each other in her work. In 2022 she published Storie del Castello di Trezza, a photographic retelling of Giovanni Verga, and in 2023 her first collection of short stories, Sciara. Her stories have appeared in several Italian literary magazines.

Comfortable shoes. Warm layers — February nights in Catania are cold, and much of the evening is spent standing. A camera or smartphone. A bag with a zipper closure for peace of mind in crowded areas. **This experience is suitable for photography enthusiasts, beginners, and travelers interested in local culture.