If you are going to spend your Easter in Sicily, you are probably looking for some advices<\/strong> about where to go and what to do.<\/p>\n As in other Italian regions, in Sicily it is possible to participate in many religious processions and events<\/strong> that depict the Las Supper or the Passion of Christ. These events are held in almost every town. Each of them has its own peculiarities<\/strong>, however they usually follow a standard schedule.<\/p>\n I\u2019m more interested about telling you something on 3 events that are<\/strong>, in my opinion, very unique<\/strong> since they mix religious and pagan traditions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In Terrasini<\/strong>, a town near Palermo, people celebrate Easter in a special way.<\/p>\n They organize la Festa delli Schietti<\/strong>, dedicated to all the bachelors<\/strong> in town. In fact, \u2018schietti\u2019 is a local word that refer to those men who aren\u2019t married.<\/p>\n During the celebration the bachelors compete for the attention of unmarried women. To be noticed they try to hold up a tree with one arm as long as they can<\/strong>! I\u2019m not joking, they hold up a real orange o grapefruit tree.<\/p>\n The tree is felled and decorated on the previous day and usually weights around 50, 55 kilos.<\/p>\n The man who holds the tree for the longest time wins the contest<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Some people say that this tradition dates back to the 19th century<\/strong>, others to the Saracen domination<\/strong>.<\/p>\n It has nothing to do with religion, it\u2019s more a tradition for celebrating the rebirth of nature after winter. After all, Easter in Sicily is a moment of the year in which spring has completely blossom!<\/p>\n Terrassini is a lovely place to spend the Easter Monday<\/strong>. If you have enough time, take a trip to the natural reserve of Capo Rama<\/strong>. There\u2019s a a massive 15th century lookout tower from which you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Gulf of Castellammare.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n More or less at half way between Palermo and Trapani is Prizzi<\/strong>.<\/p>\n If you are going to spend Easter in Sicily this little town is worth a visit.<\/p>\n It is surrounded by mountain and hills<\/strong>, connected to other villages by wild twisting roads, quite isolated<\/strong>. And that\u2019s part of his charm! Everything in Prizzi is quiet and relaxed. While walking through the streets you won\u2019t probably see many cars or even people. Unless it\u2019s Easter.<\/p>\n For Easter people of Prizzi organize one of the most popular celebrations in Sicily, called il ballo dei Diavoli, the Devils<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong>Dance<\/strong>.<\/p>\n A man dressed up in a yellow costume with long tusks represents the Death<\/strong> and is followed by two men dressed up in red costumes with long tongues representing the devils<\/strong>. The three figures dance through the town bothering whoever they meet until they are offered money or food<\/strong>. However, they are on a mission<\/strong>. They want to prevent the meeting between two procession<\/strong>, one carrying the statue of Virgin Mary, the other carrying the statue of Jesus Christ. To do so, they have to follow a complex ritual in which the dance is fundamental and other figures dressed up as angels are involved.<\/p>\n Prizzi can be a nice destination also for a day trip during Easter Monday<\/strong>. <\/p>\n Apparently, Easter in Sicily is connected to the figure of the Devil.<\/p>\n In the town of Adrano<\/strong>, near Catania, is held an event similar to that of Prizzi, called La Diavolata<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This celebration dates back to the Middle Ages and is similar to a theatrical show.<\/p>\n A stage is built in the main town square. Five men dressed up as red devils come out of a trap door on the stage. Their exit is underlined with flames and smoke and is followed by the appearance of other figures: Lucifer, the Death dressed as a skeleton, and an angel performed by a child.<\/p>\n During the show the figures discuss about the Good and the Evil<\/strong>, until the Angel forces the devils to pronounce the phrase “Viva Maria\u201d in honor to the Holy Virgin.<\/p>\n Adrano is close to Mount Etna<\/strong> and its main attractions are the Castle and the Saracen Bridge.<\/p>\n The Castle <\/strong>dates back to the 11th century but is perfectly preserved<\/strong>. It is easy to reach since it is right in the main town square where the Easter Show is held. Since 1958 is an Archaeological Museum<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The Saracen Bridge<\/strong>, Ponte dei Saraceni, is outside Adrano, about 4 kilometers from the town.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a stone bridge which origins are really ancient<\/strong>, probably it was already there at the time of the Romans. This bridge is particularly enchanting thanks to the surroundings<\/strong>, with volcanic rocks, lawns and a small creek that flows under it.<\/p>\n As you can see, Easter in Sicily is more than just religious processions.<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Easter in Sicily: Where to go and what to do If you are going to spend your Easter in Sicily, you are probably looking for some [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3404,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[154],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1278","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sicily"],"yoast_head":"\nEaster in Terrasini: La festa di li Schietti<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nThe town face a crystal clear sea<\/strong> and is protected by hills<\/strong>. The coast is irregular and offers a wide variety of landscapes. One of the most popular attractions are the sea stacks at Praiola beach<\/strong>.<\/p>\nEaster in Prizzi: The Devils\u2019 Dance<\/h3>\n
\nYou can visit the ruins of an ancient Castle<\/strong> and its recently restored tower. If you love nature, just outside the town is the artificial lake of Prizzi <\/strong>where you can take great photos.<\/p>\nEaster in Adrano: La Diavolata<\/h3>\n