Holy Week of Caltanissetta

During Holy Week, Caltanissetta is transformed into a huge theatre where, from Palm Sunday to Easter, majestic and ancient traditions, processions and rituals come to life.

Caltanissetta’s Holy Week celebrations begin on Palm Sunday with the procession of the statue of the Blessing Christ on a boat adorned with colourful flowers.

Holy Tuesday is the day when the Passion of Jesus and the scinnenza, or deposition on the cross, are celebrated. A real spectacle is staged where the participants, dressed in period costumes, re-enact the various moments of the Passion of Christ.

Holy Wednesday is dedicated to the Real Maestranza, the militia that once defended the city; this is followed, in the evening, by the procession of the Varicedde, which represent in small scale the Stations of the Cross.

On the evening of Holy Thursday, there is the procession of the Vare – groups of life-size statues – representing scenes from the Passion of Christ and the Stations of the Cross.

Holy Friday is the day dedicated to the Lord of the City, the Black Christ. At sunset, he parades through the city.

Holy Week in Caltanissetta ends with the mass in the Cathedral on Easter Sunday.

13 – 20 April 2025