Festival of the Holy Crucifix of the Elm (Lord of the Elm)

An ancient devotion in the heart of Sicily

The Festival of the Holy Crucifix of the Elm, known to all as the Lord of the Elm festival, is the most significant and widely attended celebration in Mazzarino, a town in the province of Caltanissetta, in the heart of Sicily. Held every May, it culminates on the second Sunday with a spectacular procession of the float through the historic town center. It is an event of profound emotional intensity, where popular faith, ancient rites, and community celebration merge into a unique experience.

Origins and legend

The cult of the Crucifix in Mazzarino is ancient, but the processional tradition dates back to the 1693 earthquake, when survivors vowed their devotion to the Holy Crucifix. A captivating legend tells of a wooden crucifix that was sold and later contested, and of a staff planted before the church that miraculously transformed into a giant elm tree, from which an oil considered miraculous flowed every May. This gave the sanctuary and the festival their names. The tree, uprooted and replanted over the centuries, remains the identity symbol of this devotion.

The procession of the float

The most anticipated moment is the procession on the second Sunday of May. Following the morning's solemn mass, approximately 120 barefoot men, dressed in long white robes with a red cross embroidered on the chest—the so-called nuri—lift the heavy gilded float, weighing about 1.4 tons, onto their shoulders. Dozens of young confreres accompany the statue, pulling it with ropes. Along the route, the float sways through the cheering crowd in an atmosphere of deep collective participation.

The 'sciuri di maju'

A distinctive feature of the festival is the tossing of sciuri di maju, garlands of yellow daisies that faithful and children throw onto the float as it passes, eventually covering the entire statue in flowers. It is a gesture of affection and devotion that paints the town streets yellow and remains one of the most iconic images of Sicily in celebration.

A month of pilgrimages and festivities

Festivities begin on May 1st, when pilgrimages commence for devotees who, sometimes barefoot, reach the church to renew their promises. The festival continues throughout the month, enriched by musical performances, children's activities, gastronomic events—featuring the traditional sausage feast—and stunning firework displays that frame the key days.

An intangible heritage of Sicily

Due to its historical, religious, and anthropological value, the Festival of the Holy Crucifix of the Elm is inscribed in the Sicilian Intangible Heritage Registry (R.E.I.S.). For visitors, it represents a precious opportunity to discover an authentic and profound Sicily, far from mass tourism circuits, and to experience one of the most intense religious festivals in the Caltanissetta area.