Living Via Crucis in Carcaci

The Living Via Crucis in the Village of Carcaci

The Living Via Crucis in Carcaci is one of the most heartfelt events of the Lenten season in the territory of Centuripe, a municipality in the Province of Enna, in the heart of Sicily. The event takes place in the Village of Carcaci, an ancient rural core nestled in the Simeto Valley, and features a sacred representation of the Passion of Christ that involves actors, the local community, and visitors in an atmosphere of profound spirituality.

A village steeped in history

Carcaci is located about ten kilometers from Centuripe, along the ancient road that connected the Catania area to Adrano after crossing the Simeto River. Already existing in the 12th century, it was one of the most coveted fiefdoms by Sicilian aristocratic families and became, in the 18th century, a duchy of the noble Paternò Castello family. With the abolition of feudalism, the small center was annexed to Centuripe in 1819. Today, the village, with its unmistakable cross-shaped layout, rural houses, and the scenic lava stone church dedicated to Santa Domenica, offers an evocative, timeless setting—the perfect backdrop for the sacred re-enactment.

A day of faith and rural tradition

The event is not just a religious moment, but a true community day that intertwines spirituality and rural culture. The program unfolds throughout the day:

• Morning: opening of Ruralia, the Carcaci farmers' market, with stalls featuring local products, tastings, and folk music.
• Lunch: traditional local dishes such as pane cunzato, maccheroni with Nebrodi black pig ragù, and local wine.
• Late afternoon: the Living Via Crucis, with the representation of the Stations of the Passion along the village streets.
• Evening: the Eucharistic celebration in the church of Carcaci, closing the day.

Identity, tradition, and spirituality

The event, promoted by the Municipality of Centuripe, aims to strengthen community ties and enhance the cultural and landscape heritage of the village. The Living Via Crucis thus represents an opportunity to rediscover a forgotten place in inland Sicily, bringing it back to life through popular devotion and intergenerational encounters. For those visiting the Province of Enna during the Easter period, it is an authentic experience, far from mass tourism circuits, capable of telling the story of the island's deep rural and religious soul.