Easter in Sicily is a time of reflection, but also of celebration. Easter is deeply felt in Sicily, with locals coming together all over the island in traditional events. Almost all towns and villages have their own events, some of which date back centuries. Processions, rituals, and ceremonies take place throughout Holy Week. They are colourful, vibrant, and solemn events that locals and visitors alike can participate in.
Coming to Sicily over Easter lets visitors see the real Sicily, with its culture, history, and community evident. As the bright sunshine begins to warm the island, Easter heralds the start of Spring. It is a moment of hope and joy to everyone.
There are many events in Sicily over Easter that bring together religious celebration and local community feeling. Here are some of the most evocative events in the island. Although there are many more to choose from all over Sicily. Taking part in any one of these events would be a memorable occasion during a holiday in Sicily.
Mysteries of Trapani
The Mysteries of Trapani is one of the most famous Easter events in Sicily. Twenty statues dating back to the 17th Century are carried around Trapani by devoted locals. The wooden statues depict the Passion of Christ. The procession lasts a full 24 hours, beginning in the afternoon on Good Friday and ending on Saturday morning. A marching band accompanies the procession, playing funeral music, befitting the solemn events shown in the statues. The procession covers around 20 km through Trapani’s town centre; an incredible feat of devotion and belief. The statues seem to undulate whilst they are carried on their wooden structures. This move is called the “annacata” which comes from the Sicilian “naca”, meaning crib. On Saturday the procession ends at the Chiesa delle Anime Sante del Purgatorio, drawing large crowds. It is an unforgettable experience to see once in your life time.
Devils Dance Prizzi
Hilltop Prizzi is a small town with an ancient Easter tradition that blends pagan rites and Christian religion. Taking place on Easter Sunday, this is a celebration of life, rebirth, and Spring. It reinforces the idea of good overcoming evil. On Easter Sunday, masked devils dressed in red, and a figure in yellow representing Death walk through the town’s streets. The chase and play tricks on the locals. They try to “catch” unsuspecting passers-by who are then released if they offer sweet or coins. In the afternoon there is a procession with two statues (one of Christ and one of Mary). They try to meet in the main square, but the devils and death try to stop this meeting in a sort of dance. In the end, good triumphs and the two statues reunite, marking Easter Sunday in a unique spectacle.
Easter in Piana degli Albanesi
Piana degli Albanesi is a small town close to Palermo. The small town is the heart of the Arberesh community (the Albanians of Italy) that was founded over 500 years ago. It is a centre of Albanian culture, and the Easter celebrations and traditions are unique. Celebrating Orthodox Easter, the events in Piana degli Albanesi are characterised by colourful and ancient rituals. On Maundy Thursday there is the traditional washing of feet. On Good Friday there is an evocative procession accompanied by Albanian music. The locals dress in traditional embroidered Albanian clothes. It’s a sight to behold! The mass on Easter Sunday takes place in St Demetrios Church and is a Byzantine service. Visiting Piana degli Albanesi at Easter is an unexpected experience full of culture, history, and celebration.
The Mysteries in Erice
Erice, a characteristic town above Trapani, has a palpable Medieval atmosphere that becomes even more vivid on Good Friday. Similarly to Trapani, Erice hold a procession of statues depicting the Passion of Christ. In Erice, there are seven wooden statues that are carried around the town centre from the Chiesa di San Giuliano. Locals follow the procession in mourning. The local town band places funeral music that only adds to the reflective mood of the event. Seeing this procession in Erice on Good Friday is an extraordinary experience. It feels like you have stepped back in time.
Vasa Vasa in Modica
Vasa Vasa means “kiss kiss” in the local dialect, but in Modica it refers to a charming Easter tradition. Two statues – one of the Virgin Mary, and one of the risen Christ – search for each other throughout the town. The statues are carried by devoted locals and crowds follow them in celebration. Both statues follow different routes, so wherever you are in Modica you can catch a glimpse! This procession ends with the “kiss at noon”, where the two statues meet in Piazza Monumento. This is a joyful reunion that symbolises Easter Day in all its glory. Many visitors from all over Italy come to Modica for this unique celebration.
Holy Week in Enna
Enna, in central Sicily, holds a series of events over Holy Week. These religious events link Enna back to its Spanish history, when the Bourbon monarchs ruled the island. There are events throughout the week, that bring together the residents, clergy, and the numerous ancient church brotherhoods. The celebrations include processions, sung mass, and traditional feet washing. However, the highlight is the Good Friday procession, where 2500 hooded members of Enna’s brotherhoods march through the town. Lit only by torches, this is a solemn and mesmerising event. Each brotherhood comes together at the cathedral, and then process together through the town bearing the statues depicting the Passion of Christ. The local bands play funeral music and thousands of people follow the procession. The Hooded procession in Enna is one of the most moving events for Easter in Sicily, and is famous world-wide.
Via Crucis Marsala
Marsala is home to an Easter procession on Maundy Thursday. The Via Crucis procession differs from others as real people play the characters from the Passion of Christ. Over 100 people take part, all dressed in costumes from Biblical times. They recreate the story whilst they walk through Marsala’s Baroque town centre. It is a vivid experience, that makes you truly feel a part of the story. Locals and visitors alike watch the scenes that play out with great pathos, and the costumes, music, and spectacle
Scicli’s “U Gioa”
Visiting Scicli on Easter Sunday allows you to see “U Gioa”, a joyful celebration that brings the whole town together. Scicli is already famous for its Baroque buildings and top-class restaurants.However, at Easter the town rejoices with a colourful procession celebrating Christ’s resurrection. Known either as “U Gioa” (The Joy) or “Umu Vivu” (Living Man) this procession differs from the more somber events on Good Friday. Scicli’s streets are lined with visitors who look on as the 18th Century wooden statue of Christ travels through the town. Locals throw flowers from the balconies, and the statue seems to sway rhythmically to the sound of traditional music. It’s a vibrant affair that charms anyone who sees it, and has inspired artists, writers, and musicians for centuries.
The Jewish Festival in San Fratello
The Jewish Festival dates back to the Middle Ages, and blends folklore, local culture, and religious faith. San Fratello is a small town in the Nebrodi Mountains, close to Messina. During Holy Week, it becomes the location for an unusual event that starts on Wednesday and ends on Good Friday. The men of the town wear brightly decorated costumes of red trousers, shirts, and hood, with yellow detailing. They carry chains and trumpets, and walk around the town trying to disturb the religious processions that take place in the town. They run, play the trumpet, and jump through the streets, attempting to create problems for the townfolk. It is quite a chaotic scene, and is unique to this small town in northeast Sicily. However, on Good Friday the religious procession prevails and is left to complete its route through the town.
La Real Maestranza and Le Varicedde in Caltanissetta
Two important processions take place in Caltanissetta during Holy Week. La Real Mastranza is held on Holy Wednesday. This event first occurred in 1551, demonstrating Sicily’s long-held Easter traditions. Run by the “Captain” (a figure chosen from the association of local artisans), the association processes through the town on the morning of Holy Wednesday. Throughout Holy Week, the captain enjoys special privileges, such as having they keys to the city, and being allowed to carry a sword.
Le Varicedde processions takes place on Holy Wednesday evening. The “varicedde” (in Sicilian dialect), are small terracotta representations of the Station of the Cross. This tradition was first started as the youth of the town wanted to take part in the processions, and so they created smaller versions that were more manageable for them to carry. Starting at 8pm, this procession continues throughout the night. With the early morning light, the procession ends, but the varicedde remain on display in the town hall until Easter Sunday.
La Sciaccariata in Ferla
Deep in southeastern Sicily, in the province of Syracuse, Ferla is a small town with a bright and beautiful easter traditional. La Sciaccariata refers to the torch-lit streets of the village where, just before midnight on Holy Saturday, the figure of the Resurrected Christ is carried through the village in joyful celebration. This small village comes to life: it’s a beautiful sight, especially with the fireworks dancing over the night sky.
La Processione delle Barette in Messina
On Good Friday Messina holds a procession known as “delle Barette”. This tradition dates back to 1610, and is a series of 11 statues showing the Passion of Christ. The streets fill with the faithful who watch as the procession goes by. People from Messina, as well as visitors from further afield, all join in. Solemn music plays throughout the procession, adding to the mournful and respectful atmosphere on this holy day.
Easter in Sicily, What a Time to Visit!
Wherever you choose to visit, Easter in Sicily has a wealth of events throughout Holy Week. It’s a wonderful time to come to the island and experience authentic traditions that have lasted for centuries. Every town and village have their own ritual – some small, some large – and so a holiday at Easter time allows visitors to see what Sicilian culture really is like.
What’s more, Sicily’s weather is a dream at Easter, since the Spring sunshine in full force. The best way to see the very best of Sicily? A villa holiday! Staying at a villa means space, privacy, swimming pools, and sea views. What’s not to love? Take a look at our villa collection and see if you can find the villa of your dreams for your Easter in Sicily. You’ll enjoy a holiday like no other, and return home with incredible memories of vivid Easter celebrations, delicious local food, and so much more.
