During the procession the reliquary bust and the silver casket are carried through the streets of the city on board the fercolo (vara). The modern-day launch was made entirely of silver in 1518 by the goldsmith Vincenzo Archifel and rests on four wheels which facilitate the effort of the devotees called to tow it. Originally it seems that the vara was equipped with long skis and that the tradition of offering wax in front of the fercolo had the function of facilitating sliding on the city pavements. The fercolo is embellished with pink carnations during the "external tour" of February 4th, while on the 5th, the day of martyrdom, the floral decoration becomes white.
Related topic:
- Agata, noble and holy
- Catania and the veneration of Sant'Agata
- Sant'Agata, the origins of the festival
- The relics of the Saint
- The Vara
- The candlesticks
- The habit
- The sack
- The offering of wax
- Agata's treasure
- The sweets
