Lu Martueriu

Lu Martueriu, the Passion brought to life in the streets of Canicattì

In the heart of Holy Week, Canicattì (Agrigento province, Sicily) gathers around one of its most cherished traditions: Lu Martueriu, the sacred representation of the Passion, death, and resurrection of Christ. This is not just any theatrical performance, but a popular rite deeply rooted in the community, which for generations has renewed the town's collective memory through faith, street theatre, and neighbourhood identity.

A tradition handed down since 1724

The origins of the performance date back to 1724: the actors who take the stage today are the descendants of that ancient tradition. The recited text is taken from the work of Father Mario Trupia and, since 1981, has been carried forward by the youth of the Borgalino district, the same neighbourhood in Canicattì that guards the devotion to the Holy Crucifix. The organisation is managed by the Associazione Li Tri Re, in collaboration with the Good Friday Committee and with the support of the Municipality of Canicattì.

Two evenings, an open-air Jerusalem

The sacred representation unfolds over two distinct appointments. The first evening stages the Entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, the arrest, and the trial before the Sanhedrin. The second evening continues with the trial of Caiaphas, the trial of Pilate, the Via Crucis winding through the streets of the historic centre — via Cattaneo and via Regina Margherita — leading to the Crucifixion, set in largo Savoia, in front of the church of San Diego. Piazza Dante remains the scenic hub of the entire event.

A staple of the Canicattì Holy Week

Lu Martueriu is part of the rich calendar of Holy Week in Canicattì, filled with processions, Good Friday rites, and moments of deep popular involvement. For those visiting the Agrigento hinterland in spring, it is an opportunity to discover an authentic Sicily, where the sacred and the communal dimensions intertwine in a choral performance involving entire families from the Borgalino district. Admission is free.