Easter in Sicily: A Guide to Experiencing the Passion and Tradition

Easter is a time of renewal, rebirth, and rejoicing. For the people of Sicily, it is also a time of deep religious devotion, ancient tradition, and vibrant celebration. If you are looking for a unique and unforgettable experience this Easter, look no further than the town of Taormina, and the areas of Messina, Catania, and Siracusa. In this guide, we will take you on a journey through the sights, sounds, and tastes of these four towns. Allowing you how to experience the passion and tradition of Sicily during this special time.

Taormina – Where Music, Food, and Faith Come Together

Nestled on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean, Taormina is one of the most picturesque towns in Sicily. But during Holy Week, it transforms into a stage for one of the most vibrant and emotional Easter celebrations in the region. The streets are adorned with flowers and colorful lights, and the air is filled with the sound of trumpets, drums, and prayers.

Procession of the Mysteries

The most breathtaking event of this season is the Good Friday procession, a traditional reenactment of Jesus Christ’s Passion, known as the “Procession of the Mysteries of Good Friday. As soon as the sun sets, the procession takes over Taormina’s historic center, particularly the renowned Corso Umberto. For this occasion, the main street of Taormina plunges into darkness. As the characters of the procession, including statues and “vare” (decorated structures), arrive from all the city’s churches. Illuminated solely by torches, just as in the age-old tradition. A distinctive feature of the ceremony is the participation of women.

Consorelle

About six hundred “consorelle”, all part of the local historic congregation of Varò di Maria, appear dressed in black as a symbol of mourning. They follow Christ throughout the procession route. Carrying lit candles in their hands. The procession is accompanied by many young girls dressed in white. One of the most striking moments of the ceremony is the solemn meeting with the Madonna. After a first stop in Piazza Duomo, the procession continues along Corso Umberto. Pausing again at Piazza Santa Caterina for another moment of prayer. Late in the evening, the procession takes Jesus to the Column in the church of Sant’Antonio. While the statues of Ecce Homo, Crucified Christ, Dead Jesus, and the Madonna are brought to their respective churches. But the celebrations in Taormina are not just about religion; they are also about music and food.

Make sure to try traditional Sicilian dishes like “cassata”, “cannoli“, and “cuddura cu l’ova”, a sweet bread decorated with dyed eggs. And if you’re lucky, you might even catch a concert by one of the many musicians who flock to Taormina during this time of year.

Messina – A Journey Through the Mysteries of Faith

If you are looking for a more solemn and introspective Easter experience, Messina is the place to be. Excluding all those places where only the prescribed rites of the Roman Missal are performed, the dramatic expressions of the Last Supper, known in Sicily as “a cena,” are particularly found in the territory of Messina. Specifically in Pozzo di Gotto, Monforte San Giorgio, and Montalbano Elicona.

Monforte San Giorgio

In Monforte San Giorgio, the traditional ritual of the dinner takes place in a completely unique way. Thanks to the presence of a sculpture of the Last Supper, placed above the tabernacle of the altar of the Blessed Sacrament, the sculpture’s table is set with a chalice, bread, a sugar lamb, lettuce, oranges, and medlars. This side altar coincides with the temporary repository of the Blessed Sacrament. Easter symbols (lamb, cross, chalice) are arranged on the floor every year using a different type of seed (flowers, rice, coffee, corn). After the Lord’s Supper and the repositioning of the Eucharist, the confreres of the Blessed Sacrament, having participated in the liturgy in which twelve of them have impersonated the apostles during the foot-washing rite, stand guard at this altar.

Montalbano Elicona

In Montalbano Elicona, the traditional ritual of the Last Supper is carried out by the confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament. In the Mother Church, a stage is set up near the altar and a table is laid with twelve terracotta place settings. And a large paschal lamb made of marzipan, twelve rolls, oranges, lemons, lettuce, broad beans, peas, and wine are placed on it; a wooden fish and flowers serve as decoration.

The confraternity, with the twelve apostles, processions from the sacristy with the priest for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, carrying lit torches. When they reach the altar, the twelve apostles surround the table of the Last Supper, and the celebrant blesses it. During the liturgical rite of the foot-washing, the priest washes the feet of the apostles. At the conclusion, after the repositioning of the Blessed Sacrament in the temporary altar, food is distributed to the apostles. Creating a beautiful and emotional moment of community and sharing.

Catania – A Feast for the Senses

Catania is a city and a periphery that knows how to celebrate, and Easter is no exception. The festivities start on Palm Sunday.

Caltagirone

A unique event takes place in Caltagirone. On Palm Sunday, the majestic staircase of the city serves as a setting for the live enactment of the Via Crucis. On Easter Sunday, there is the so-called Giunta, where instead of the Archangel, it is Saint Peter who meets the risen Christ and announces it to his mother.

The event is divided into two moments:

A Giunta (the meeting) and ‘a Spartenza (the separation), during which the three effigies of Saint Peter, the Risen Christ, and the Madonna meet and separate. Piazza Municipio and the staircase become the actual theater of the meeting. In front of the Madonna dressed in mourning, the statue bows three times, communicates the resurrection of her son, and then quickly runs towards Christ. Mother and Son can thus meet in the center of the square, to the incessant sound of the bells. There, in front of the Risen Christ, the Madonna drops her black cloak and performs three bows. The statue of Saint Peter is “giant”, about three meters high, and made of paper-mâché.

Paterno

In Paterno, the Easter Week rituals are also impressive. On Holy Thursday, the Sepulchers are visited in odd numbers (3, 5, 7), taking turns in adoration. It was customary in the past for a child dressed in white to guard the key to the Holy Sepulcher and wear it around his neck until the next day. Good Friday is the day of the procession of the Dead Christ and the Sorrowful Virgin.

For the people of Paterno’, it is the day of “dà nisciuta do Signuri mortu.”

From the Matrix of Santa Maria dell’Alto, on the Acropolis, the two statues come out and descend the eighteenth-century staircase. And walk through the historic streets of the city, accompanied by the band, the confraternities, the associations, and followed by the authorities.

The fercoli, the work of the Paterno’ artist Giacinto Gioco, are very large.

It is enough to think that there are 34 bearers of the Sorrowful Virgin, while there are about 50 bearers of the Dead Christ, taking turns with other devotees. The tradition of the bearers in black clothing of the two statues is one of the city’s Easter traditions. In the past, there was a custom of passing down from father to son the right to carry the two monumental statues on their shoulders. On Easter Sunday, the Historic Hill welcomes the Risen Christ, ready to descend towards the city center.

Adrano

In Adrano, Holy Week is rich in events. It starts with the living Stations of the Cross on the evening of Palm Sunday.

Holy Thursday

On Holy Thursday, there is a procession with the 17th-century statue of Christ at the Column. Known as “Cristuzzu,” with its rituals, including the slow pace, which concludes in the early hours of Good Friday.

Good Friday

Good Friday is characterized by the morning procession of the Sorrowful Mother. And the evening procession of the dead Christ, known as Luzzanti (agonizing). It is a tradition for unmarried girls to donate their hair as an offering to Christ at the Column.

Easter Sunday

On Easter Sunday, in the main square, there is the Diavulazzi di Pasqua or Diavolata, followed by the Angelicata. A sacred representation of medieval origin, which is particularly suggestive, and the work of Don Anselmo Laudani. The celebrations conclude with the traditional “Pace.”

Biancavilla

Special processions are also celebrated in Biancavilla. The living Via Crucis brings the historic center streets to life.

Holy Thursday

On Holy Thursday, there are “I Cruciddi”, visits made from parish to parish to see the “Sepolcri” of the Sacrament.

Good Friday

On Good Friday, at dawn, the traditional “Cerca” of the Addolorata begins, along the city streets, churches, and places of pain. It continues with the so-called “sira de Tri Misteri”. An impressive procession of eight groups of statues evoking the moments of the Passion. Carried on the shoulders by the confraternities with traditional clothing: white sacks, black “scuzzitta”, cord, and finally the mozzetta, each of a different color. The traditional “giro dei Santi” is also covered. The ancient wooden candle, a sign of popular devotion, also goes in procession. The event, which brings the largest number of Passion of Christ statues in the province, ends in the early hours of the night. With the “annacàta” of Christ at the column, taking two steps forward and one back.

Easter Sunday

On Easter Sunday, at exactly noon, “A Paci” is celebrated. The meeting and kiss between the simulacra of the risen Christ and Mary, in the presence of the joyful Archangel Gabriel. The statues are decorated with broad beans and flowers.

Easter Monday

On Easter Monday, it was a tradition to set up the so-called “Albero della cuccagna,” also known as “Antinna,” where fruits, vegetables, meat, etc., were put up for grabs. But Easter in Catania is not just about religion; it is also a feast for the senses. Make sure to try traditional dishes like “arancini” and “cassata,” and enjoy the fireworks and music that light up the city on Easter Sunday.

Ragusa – Join the faithful in solemn processions

Easter in Ragusa is a celebration of both faith and community. The city’s impressive baroque architecture is on full display during the processions and events of Holy Week.

Ispica

But what has stood out for us is celebrating Easter in the town of Ispica, located in Ragusa. Holy Week and Easter celebrations are one of the most intense and emotional events of the year. Secular rites, gestures, and traditions enchant visitors and animate the devotees who wait for this moment for an entire year and experience it with deep emotion. The processions, the sacred representation of the Passion of Christ, and religious services are organized by the two historic archconfraternities. One is that of the Most Holy Annunciation (the Nunziatari) and the other is that of Santa Maria Maggiore (the Cavari).

Friday of Lent

The cycle of festivities begins on the penultimate Friday of Lent with the procession of the Holy Cascia, which for all Ispicians is “‘u vènniri ra Santa Cascia.” This is the day when you start to breathe an atmosphere full of emotions. The Nunziatari carry a silver urn, ‘a Santa Cascia, containing the relics of various saints and above all “‘a Santa Spina,” a fragment of the crown of thorns that was placed on the head of Jesus. When the procession returns to the church of the SS. Annunciation, another very intense moment begins: the living Stations of the Cross. Thousands of faithful witness the suggestive reenactment of the Passion of Jesus. After retracing the last moments of Christ’s life, the crowd returns to the Basilica of the Annunciation where the most emotional moment of the day is celebrated. The Holy Spine is placed at the feet of the statue of Christ with the Cross, which is hidden behind a wooden wall. For the Nunziatari, days of waiting begin until Good Friday when they can unveil and embrace the statue of Christ.

Holy Thursday, the longest day in Ispica…

On the night of the Wednesday before Holy Thursday (around 1:30), a long-living Via Crucis departs from the rock church of Santa Maria della Cava (in the Cava d’Ispica) to arrive at the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. In the magnificent square in front of the church, the scenes of the Crucifixion and the deposition of Christ are repeated. The crowd is packed and waiting for the traditional opening of the doors. At exactly 4:00, the parish priest knocks three times on the door of the basilica. The door opens to let in the devotees who rush in and jostle to reach the altar of Christ at the Column (‘u Patri a Culonna). There they kneel to kiss the altar. Finally, the people reclaim their symbol and complete the ritual of thanksgiving (‘u ringraziamentu).

The liturgy, which began at night, continues throughout the day.

At 11:00 in the morning, the parish priest ascends to the altar of the flogged Christ at the Column, knocks three times, and slides down the doors that hide it. The air is charged with emotion and pathos, the faithful scream and get emotional. In just a few minutes, the ritual of “scinnuta” is complete, and the statue is finally among the devotees who can raise it to the sky. The band underlines every moment with traditional marches.

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Patri a Culonna

In the afternoon, the statue of ‘u Patri a Culonna is carried in procession and while visiting the streets of the historic center, it meets the Addolorata, giving life to ‘U ‘ncuontru. The ritual in which the Sorrowful Mother bows three times in front of her Son. These are moments experienced in silence and with great emotion. Around midnight, the procession is still going on, and the faces of the devotees are marked by fatigue. But everyone knows well that when they arrive at the church, the statue will be placed back and they will have to wait a year before they can carry it again! The last climb is faced with a solemn pace, it almost seems that for every step forward, two are taken back. The bearers want to prolong that moment as much as possible. Once inside the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the statue begins to rotate, and the organ plays while the band pays tribute to the last march to Christ at the Column. Outside it is night… inside the church, the last act takes place when the statue is on the altar, and the last shouts of farewell are heard. For the Cavari, leaving ‘U Patri a Culonna is not easy.

Good Friday is the day of the “Nunziatari” and the crucified Christ.

The rituals that characterize Holy Thursday are repeated: early in the morning, the faithful fill the church. And around 11:00, after the three strokes of the priest, the “fall of the doors” is repeated. Despite the noise that echoes in the church, the three strokes resonate and anticipate the liberating scream: “eppicciuotti, cruci, cruci, cruci!”

“u Patri a Cruci”

The most anticipated and touching moment is the exit of the statue, “u Patri a Cruci,” with its suffering gaze looking at the devotees. The atmosphere is charged with emotion, but everything is more orderly. The procession that starts from the Basilica of the Holy Annunciation is preceded by two Roman soldiers on horseback. During the tour through the streets of Ispica, it will encounter the Addolorata carried on the shoulders of the Cavari. Slowly, the procession advances towards the church, while the band plays funeral marches. When it is already dark, the faithful decide to place the Christ on the Cross back in its altar, but not before completing a few laps around the nave of the basilica.

Easter Sunday, the day of “U Risuscitatu”

Easter is the festival of the Resurrected One of the Basilica of the Holy Annunciation. Ispica experiences the last day of the long Holy Week that influences the life of the whole country every year. After the atmosphere of grief and mourning is abandoned, the festival explodes. At noon, the Resurrected Jesus carried on the shoulders of the devotees rushes towards the Madonna. The statues move in the air as in a festive dance emphasized by fireworks, the sound of bells, and the screams of the people. The meeting between the Mother and the Son is completed, and after a tour of the main square, Christ descends towards his church, where he returns after a spectacular run.

Siracusa – Ferla’s Easter Remains Unique

Ferla, a small town that is part of Siracusa, experiences one of the most deeply felt and celebrated festivals during Holy Easter. The Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus are relived every year through rituals and processions, creating an emotional and spiritual atmosphere.

Unfortunately, some traditions have been lost over time. Such as the Lenten Saturdays, the sacred representation of the Passion, the Holy Opira, and the “calata a tila”. The confraternities of San Sebastiano and Sant’Antonio, which once played a vital role in the celebration, have also disappeared. Despite these losses, Ferla’s Easter remains unique compared to other regions in Italy, with some moments contributing to its anachronistic charm. On Holy Thursday, the “Signuri a Canna” procession takes place after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and the deposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The faithful visit the “Sepulcri” adorned with flowers, candles, and sprouted wheat.

Good Friday

Is a day of intense religious fervor, commemorating the passion of Christ. The processions of “Signuri a Cruci” and the Addolorata begin in the afternoon, creating a particularly spiritual atmosphere. In the evening, the service of “Scisa a Cruci” takes place, with Jesus taken down from the cross and placed in the urn (“a cascia”). The night procession of “Signuri a Cascia” follows.

Holy Saturday

On Holy Saturday, the Resurrection Mass marks the start of the procession of the Addolorata, “A Madonna o Scontru.” The “Sciaccariata” runs alongside “U Gesummaria”. From the church of San Sebastiano to the Capuchin Fathers’ convent. Using torches made from dried shrubs to light the way.

Easter Sunday

Finally, on Easter Sunday, the procession of the Addolorata, “U Giro de sette vaneddi,” begins at dawn. The wait culminates at noon with “U Scontru,” where the meeting between Jesus and the Madonna takes place amidst a wild race of ribbons and fireworks. The Madonna drops her mantle, revealing her splendor, and Holy Week ends with the procession of “Gesummaria” on Sunday evening. The emotional and spiritual impact of Ferla’s Holy Easter is a testament to the enduring power of faith and tradition.

Noto – Celebrate the joy and solemnity

Easter in Noto is a time of both solemn reflection and joyous celebration. The city’s impressive Baroque architecture provides a beautiful backdrop for the religious processions and events of Holy Week.

Good Friday and the Procession of the “Holy Thorn”… The relic, originating from the Ancient City and kept in an artistic golden case, is carried in procession through the streets of the Historic Center. Together with the simulacrum of the Dead Christ and the Sorrowful Madonna; the Confraternities, the Music Band and the faithful follow.

No matter how non-religious you may be…

Easter in Sicily is a time of passion, tradition, and celebration. Each town has its own unique way of marking the holiday, from the solemn and introspective processions in Messina to the vibrant and colorful celebrations in Catania. Wherever you choose to go, you are sure to be immersed in the sights, sounds, and tastes of Sicily, and experience a truly unforgettable Easter.