Easter in Cassaro – U Scontru (Simana o Niuru)

A centuries-old tradition in the Iblei Mountains

In Cassaro, a tiny municipality of just over eight hundred inhabitants perched at an altitude of 550 meters in the Iblei Mountains, Holy Week is the event of the year. It is known by an evocative name in the Sicilian dialect: the "Simana o Niuru", or Black Week. The name stems from the ancient custom, still alive today, of covering windows, balconies, and sacred images with black veils, symbolizing mourning and reflection on the death of Christ. This tradition has been documented since the first half of the 18th century, linked to the Confraternities of Maria Immacolata and San Sebastiano and that of Santa Maria degli Agonizzanti.

The two confraternities and their colors

The entire Holy Week in Cassaro revolves around two ancient confraternities, now known as the Committees of San Sebastiano and Sant'Antonio Abate. The members wear traditional white "sacchi" (robes) with pointed hoods, distinguished by colored sashes: red for San Sebastiano and green for Sant'Antonio. Their ritual rivalry and collaboration define every moment of the celebrations, maintaining an ancient balance that keeps the Cassaro community united.

The days of Holy Week

• Palm Sunday: The procession opens the week, accompanied by food stalls in Piazza Matrice.
• Maundy Thursday: Known as the "Day of Brotherhood," the Committees parade and tilt their black banners three times in Piazza Matrice, followed by the rite of the Washing of the Feet.
• Good Friday: The most solemn day, featuring the "Scisa a Cruci" (the deposition of the Dead Christ from the cross), the homily of the "Seven Words," and the procession of the Dead Christ and the Addolorata through the village streets.
• Holy Saturday: The procession of the Madonna searching for her Son, and at midnight, "A Risuscita": at the singing of the Gloria, the statue of the Risen Christ emerges from behind the altar thanks to an ancient mechanism, amidst the festive sound of bells.

U Scontru, the heart of the festival

The most anticipated moment is "U Scontru", the Encounter. On Easter morning, the statue of the Addolorata, carried on the shoulders of local women, traverses the village streets in search of her Son. At noon, on Corso Umberto, the meeting with the Risen Christ takes place: the Madonna, dressed in black, runs toward Him, and at the moment of the encounter, the black mantle falls, symbolizing the end of mourning and the explosion of Easter joy, accompanied by confetti and firecrackers. On Easter Monday, the rite is renewed with "U Scontru de' Carusi," where the village children repeat the encounter with smaller statues, renewing the bond between generations.

A village to discover

Visiting Cassaro during Holy Week means immersing yourself in an authentic, off-the-beaten-path Sicily, located in the small towns of the Iblei Mountains just a few kilometers from the Anapo Valley and the UNESCO-listed necropolis of Pantalica. The festival attracts thousands of visitors every year, as well as many emigrants who return to their hometown to relive this intense tradition together.