Easter Week Processions in Ragusa Ibla, Sicily

Many towns in Sicily celebrate Easter with rituals that are a rich blend of faith, folklore, tradition and community. We wanted to experience some of the Easter processions and chose to stay in the town of Ragusa Ibla (one of the UNESCO listed Baroque towns in south-eastern Sicily) for Holy Week this month.

On Palm Sunday (Domenica delle Palme) we saw worshipers carrying palm fronds and olive branches as they returned from church. During the first procession that evening, the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows was carried through the town to the church of Santa Maria dell’Itria.

Santa Maria Addolorata

 

The striking blue dome of Santa Maria dell'Itria

The image of Jesus crowned with thorns was transported on Holy Monday (Lunedì Santo) between two rows of devotees, each holding votive candles and accompanied by the sound of a solemn brass band. The procession proceeded to the Duomo San Giorgio.

Duomo San Giorgio, Ragusa Ibla

We missed the other procession that left from Chiesa di San Giacomo on Monday evening - Christ in the Garden of Olives. I found this short clip of it:



On Holy Tuesday (Martedì Santo), the procession with the statue of Veronica left from the Church of Purgatory. Led by hundreds of the faithful, they wove their way through narrow streets and wide piazzas until they finally arrived at the Cathedral.

Chiesa del Purgatorio, Ragusa Ibla

The Veil of Veronica

Two statues were carried to the Duomo San Giorgio on Good Friday (Venerdì Santo) one of Christ in a glass casket followed by Our Lady of Sorrows (La Madre Addolorata). The entire community is involved in these important religious events. I admire the emotional and spiritual connection that the local people have with these ceremonies and the way in which the men help one another to skilfully carry and manoeuvre the large, heavy statues up and down the steep steps.

I love the fact that the citizens of Ragusa Ibla continue to keep all its medieval traditions and festivals alive. What is really amazing about these events is that they are not done for the benefit of tourists or visitors; they are done because they have always been done. For us it was a great pleasure to witness them and get a glimpse into the past. Anyone with any historical or cultural interest in Italy, should have this experience, we cannot recommend it highly enough.