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A procession of a silver statue of Syracuse’s patron saint travels from the Duomo to the Chiesa di Santa Lucia, built on the spot where she was martyred in AD 304. As the protectress of eyesight, the faithful attach votive eyes made from silver, bronze or wax to her image.

Rivals for centuries, the landowners and farmers loyal to San Paolo and the artisans and merchants loyal to San Sebastiano try to out-celebrate each other. Huge statues of the saints make an entrance from the church into the piazza where they are met with brightly coloured streamers, then journey through the village. Worshippers process barefoot well into the night.

Rosalia was the daughter of a nobleman but chose a hermitic life in a cave on Monte Pellegrino. The discovery of her relics “saved” Palermo from the plague in 1624. For six days, her relics, atop an ornate vara (float), are paraded around the streets of the city.

St Joseph’s Day is celebrated fervently in the west, especially in villages such as Salemi and Poggioreale. Altars are constructed in homes, schools and public spaces, piled high with ornate breads and traditional foods – but no meat, out of respect for St Joseph’s poverty.

The Holy Thorn is processed through the streets accompanied by the black-veiled Grieving Madonna. The solemn procession is accompanied by a drum and a trumpet, periodically letting out a mournful blast.

One of the most spectacular floats of all the Sicilian festivals is paraded from Piazza di Santa Maria through the narrow streets of the village to Piazza Loreto. The tall float carries young local boys dressed up as angels, saints, Jesus and the Madonna.

One of the earliest saints, Agata was martyred in Catania’s Piazza Stesicoro. The bejewelled reliquary bust of the saint is paraded around town followed by fanciful golden “candlesticks” so large that each one is hauled on the backs of 10 men. Balconies are draped in fabrics, flags fly, candles burn, and fireworks thunder at dawn.

A procession of 20 huge scenes of Christ’s Passion, decorated with flowers, is accompanied by bands playing funeral dirges.

Crowds gather in Castelvetrano to see the statue of Christ enter from one end of the piazza, while the Madonna enters from the other. To a dramatic drum beat, they move toward one another and come together in an embrace.

The historic streets of these towns are packed with revellers for parades, parties and competitions. Papier mâché floats satirize current events or figures of popular culture.