Holy Week and the 'Uomo Vivo' (U Gioia) Easter
The overwhelming Easter of Scicli, between deep emotion and an explosion of joy
About U Gioia - Uomo Vivo
Sicily's most overwhelming Easter
In Scicli, a jewel of the Iblean Baroque in the province of Ragusa, Holy Week is not just a religious journey but an authentic identity experience that involves the entire community. The highlight is the 'Uomo Vivo' Easter, known by all locals by its dialect name 'U Gioia (the Omu Vivu): the most anticipated festival of the year, capable of attracting thousands of visitors from across the island and beyond.
From the silence of Good Friday to the explosion of joy
Celebrations unfold throughout the week, marked by the ancient local confraternities and hosted in the churches of the historic center, including the Sanctuary of Santa Maria La Nova, the churches of San Bartolomeo, San Giovanni, the Consolazione, and the Carmine. Palm Sunday opens the rites with the solemn procession of the Maria Santissima Addolorata statue group. Good Friday is a day of reflection: after the ancient «Scisa a Cruci» (Descent from the Cross) rite in the sanctuary, the statues of the Dead Christ and the Addolorata meet in a moment of intense emotion near the Consolazione church.
'U Gioia: the run of the Risen Christ
The true heart of the festival arrives on Easter Sunday. At midnight on Holy Saturday, in the church of Santa Maria La Nova, the «Resuscita» takes place—the unveiling of the Risen Christ statue amidst shouts of exultation. On Sunday, the statue is carried on the shoulders of the «portatori» (bearers) and raced wildly through the town's streets: the crowd shouts «Gioia! Gioia! Gioia!» non-stop, petals and flowers rain down from the balconies, and children are lifted toward the statue to the cry of «Crìscila! Crìscila!» as a gesture of blessing and good omen.
A centuries-old tradition
The origins of this devotion date back to the 17th century, while the procession of the Risen Christ as we know it today was established around 1799. The 'Uomo Vivo' Easter has been recognized by the Sicilian Region as a 'Great Event' and inscribed in the Register of Intangible Heritage (REI), a testament to its unique cultural and anthropological value.
- Where: historic center of Scicli (RG), Sicily
- When: Holy Week, between March and April
- Heart of the festival: the run of the Risen Christ on Easter Sunday
- Recognition: Register of Intangible Heritage of the Sicilian Region
U Gioia - Uomo Vivo — edition 2026
The 2026 program
Holy Week 2026 in Scicli opened on Sunday, March 29 (Palm Sunday) with the blessing of the palms and the solemn procession of the Maria Santissima Addolorata statue group from Santa Maria La Nova. Holy Tuesday (March 31) featured the procession of the Crucifix from San Bartolomeo, while Holy Wednesday (April 1) was dedicated to the living Stations of the Cross from the Consolazione. Holy Thursday (April 2) included the In Coena Domini Mass and the altars of repose, and Good Friday (April 3) featured the «Scisa a Cruci» rite and the meeting between the Dead Christ and the Addolorata.
The climax occurred on Sunday, April 5: announcement with cannon fire at 8:00 AM, solemn Mass at 10:30 AM at Santa Maria La Nova, the exit of the Risen Christ statue from 1:00 PM, and the 'Uomo Vivo' procession in the afternoon, with video mapping in Piazza Busacca and fireworks at midnight. Easter Monday (April 6) concluded the festivities with Eucharistic rites at the Consolazione church.
Programme U Gioia - Uomo Vivo 2026
Holy Week 2026
- Sun March 29 - Palm Sunday: blessing of the palms; 4:00 PM Addolorata procession from Santa Maria La Nova
- Tue March 31 - Holy Tuesday: 7:30 PM Crucifix procession from San Bartolomeo
- Wed April 1 - Holy Wednesday: 8:00 PM Living Stations of the Cross from the Consolazione
- Thu April 2 - Holy Thursday: 8:00 PM In Coena Domini Mass; altars of repose 8:00 PM - midnight
- Fri April 3 - Good Friday: 8:30 PM «Scisa a Cruci» rite; 9:30 PM meeting of Dead Christ and Addolorata at the Consolazione
- Sun April 5 - Easter: 8:00 AM cannon fire; 10:30 AM solemn Mass; 1:00 PM exit of the Risen Christ; 'Uomo Vivo' procession; video mapping in Piazza Busacca at 10:30 PM; midnight fireworks
- Mon April 6 - Easter Monday: Eucharistic day at the Consolazione
Highlights U Gioia - Uomo Vivo 2026
Prices U Gioia - Uomo Vivo 2026
Practical information — U Gioia - Uomo Vivo
How to get there
Scicli can be reached by car via the SS115 (Modica-Ispica); the nearest train stations are Scicli and Modica on the Syracuse-Ragusa-Gela line. The reference airports are Comiso (approx. 40 km) and Catania Fontanarossa (approx. 110 km).
Parking and shuttles
During Easter Sunday, the historic center is closed to traffic: peripheral parking areas (including Via Ignazio Emmolo) are set up with a free shuttle service to Corso Garibaldi. It is recommended to arrive well in advance.
Costs
Access to processions and celebrations is free of charge.
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Where does it take place — U Gioia - Uomo Vivo
Centro storico di Scicli - Santuario di Santa Maria La Nova