Architect Mario Cucinella Designs 'Living Garden' Float for Palermo's Festino di Santa Rosalia
Palermo, Sicily, recently played host to the 402nd iteration of the Festino di Santa Rosalia, an annual celebration deeply embedded in the city’s cultural and spiritual fabric. This year, the iconic “carro” – the triumphant float at the heart of the procession – was reimagined by the renowned architect Mario Cucinella. His design transformed the float into a striking vertical Mediterranean garden, symbolizing Palermo’s intricate history and vibrant identity.
Mario Cucinella Architects Unveils Unique Festino di Santa Rosalia Float
In mid-July, as the Sicilian summer reached its crescendo, the city of Palermo came alive for the Festino di Santa Rosalia, a venerated tradition commemorating the city’s patron saint, credited with ending the devastating plague of 1624. This year, for the 402nd annual event, architect Mario Cucinella was entrusted with the monumental task of designing the festival’s “carro” or triumphal float, which leads a spectacular evening procession through Palermo’s historic core. Cucinella, whose firm MCA (Mario Cucinella Architects) is celebrated for its environmentally conscious architecture, embarked on this unique commission, recognizing the profound spiritual and communal significance of the event for an estimated 400,000 attendees.
Cucinella’s design for the “carro” was a departure from traditional theatrical stages, conceptualizing it instead as a temporary architectural installation. He envisioned the float as a “garden city,” drawing parallels to Monte Pellegrino, the mountain overlooking Palermo, where vegetation cascades in terraces. This living structure, composed of stacked timber plinths, symbolized the mountain’s topography and incorporated elements of Sicily’s rich Arab-Norman heritage through blue bas-relief Saladin stars and Norman knot motifs. Forty planters, housing over 150 locally sourced plants such as bay laurel, fan palm, and wild olive, transformed the float into a dynamic vertical Mediterranean landscape.
The symbolism extended to the figure of Santa Rosalia at the float’s apex. Surrounded by approximately 300 illuminated butterflies – representing transformation, rebirth, and collective freedom – the saint held a poignant blue cross. This cross, carved by Palermitan artist Filippo Sapienza from the timber of migrant boats arriving on Sicily’s shores, served as a powerful reminder of Palermo’s historical role as a haven and a gateway for diverse cultures.
The “carro” was the centerpiece of a broader artistic production, art-directed by Luca Pintacuda of Odd Agency. This grand spectacle included video projections illuminating the city’s ancient facades, along with drone displays, dance performances, live music, and fireworks. These elements collectively transformed Palermo into an immersive stage, narrating a historical tapestry from the arrival of Arab forces in 827 AD to the city’s contemporary identity.
On the evening of the Festino, the impact of Cucinella’s creation was immediate and profound. As the “carro” began its slow, 2.5-kilometer journey from Palazzo dei Normanni, Cucinella, observing from within the illuminated structure, witnessed the enthusiastic throngs lining the streets and balconies. Despite logistical challenges, including a brief snag on overhead wires, the procession maintained its “unique intensity,” elevating the celebration beyond a mere carnival to a deeply spiritual ritual. At Quattro Canti, the Baroque heart of Palermo, Mayor Roberto Lagalla’s declaration of “Viva Palermo! Viva Santa Rosalia!” ignited a cascade of confetti and cheers, solidifying the communal spirit. This project, Cucinella reflected, offered a rare opportunity for immediate public engagement, a stark contrast to the lengthy timelines of traditional architectural endeavors. The “carro,” though temporary in its initial design, is slated for a second life, destined to be installed elsewhere in the city post-Festino, ensuring its legacy endures beyond the procession.
This year’s Festino di Santa Rosalia, with Mario Cucinella’s innovative “carro,” beautifully blended tradition with contemporary artistic expression. It showcased how art and architecture can serve as powerful mediums for celebrating cultural heritage, addressing social themes, and fostering a sense of collective identity and renewal. The transformation of a ceremonial float into a living garden and a symbol of migration underscores the evolving narrative of cities and their enduring spirit. It reminds us that even in grand spectacles, there can be deeply personal and universally resonant messages.