La Casazza of Nicosia

A grand collective narrative through the streets of Nicosia

The Casazza of Nicosia is an itinerant sacred performance that, every year in the days leading up to Easter, brings the historic center of Nicosia to life. This charming village in the Nebrodi mountains, located in the province of Enna, Sicily, becomes the backdrop for the Passion. Scenes unfold across the town's squares, stairways, and churches: the audience follows a path through the most characteristic spots of the old town, accompanying the performers from one station to the next in a continuous dialogue between theater and devotion.

The origins of a centuries-old tradition

Casazze are itinerant figurative representations where characters in period costumes, divided into groups, symbolize episodes from the Old and New Testaments. Originating in Genoa in the 13th century, they spread to Sicily starting in the 16th century. The Nicosia version was particularly lavish: at the end of the 19th century, it featured dozens of biblical tableaux, took place on Holy Thursday, and lasted many hours, involving the entire community. After a long hiatus, the event was brought back to life in 2016 thanks to the dedication of local associations and volunteers, who have turned it into one of the most cherished events of the Holy Week in the Enna area.

The path of the Passion

The performance is divided into several acts entrusted to local theater companies, each dedicated to a scene from the sacred script. Highlights include:

• The trial before Caiaphas, staged in Piazza Valguarnera;
• The judgment of Pilate and the flagellation, set on the stairway leading to the Capuchin Friars' convent;
• The Crucifixion, the culminating and most solemn moment of the entire performance.

Hundreds of extras, actors, and citizens bring to life a collective story that, with each edition, is enriched with new scenes and a growing female presence, in keeping with tradition.

An experience of faith, history, and community

The Casazza is more than just a show: it is an identity-defining ritual that unites the entire population of Nicosia. The historical costumes, meticulous set designs, and sacred narrative offer visitors the authentic atmosphere of the Sicilian Holy Week, characterized by popular participation, deep religiosity, and theatrical flair. For those visiting the province of Enna during the Easter period, witnessing the Casazza means immersing oneself in one of the most evocative traditions of the Sicilian hinterland.