Holy Week in Sicily - Procession at Enna

Holy Week traditions in Sicily have their roots in the legacy of 17th century Spanish domination of the island. Various events take place throughout the week at many cities, most notably at, Trapani, Érice, Marsala, Taormina, Prizzi, San Fratello, Caltanissetta and Enna.

Enna is a historic town at the interior of the island almost 1000m high. because of its positioning it has been of strategic importance and managed to fend off many invaders over the centuries. The approach to the town is still formidable via a slowly winding road to the top of a hill upon which Enna proudly sits.

On Good Friday, at the Duomo (the town's cathedral) and at all parish churches there takes place, in early afternoon, the unveiling and worshiping of the Holy Cross and Eucharist.

A huge parade starts from the Church of Saint Leonard with all the members of 16 confraternities and reaches the Church of Addolorata, in the centre of the town.

The typical “vara” carrying the statue of Holy Mary is carried throughout the crowded streets of the historical centre to the Duomo, the town's cathedral, while the band plays mournful funeral marches. All the brothers enter the church to pay their respect.

Then, there follows the longest parade in the whole of Italy of about 4km long of all members of the 16 confraternities, all hooded, walking slowly from the Duomo to the cemetery and back to Duomo, an event that lasts for many hours.