Palazzolo Acreide celebrates San Sebastiano festival after destructive band attack

On the night of 21‑22 July, an armed gang using an excavator devastated the historic Raciti family business in Palazzolo Acreide, Sicily, causing extensive damage to the building and to a nearby structure in the UNESCO‑listed Val di Noto site. The assault was described as an attack not only on a company but also on the cultural heritage of the town.

The community is responding by turning the upcoming San Sebastiano festival on 10 August into a symbol of resilience. Thousands are expected to gather at the Basilica of San Sebastiano, using the celebration to demonstrate that the town’s spirit and identity remain unbroken despite the recent violence.