Easter in Acate

In the Free Municipal Consortium of Ragusa, halfway between the Bosco di Santo Pietro Nature Reserve and the beaches of Borgo Fenicio, there is a town with about 10 inhabitants, called acate: here there are churches and castles, vineyards and citrus groves and festivals throughout the year, capable of attracting the attention of tourists, just like the Festa di Easter in Acate.
The Easter Festival is the culminating moment of the Holy Week, a period that involves all the faithful of the centre, but also the most important places in the country, in the celebrations for the Resurrection of Christ. One of the most loved events by the participants of the Easter Festival in Acate is the Procession of Christ at the Column, a Procession of ancient origins and recently reintroduced in the festivities. It is above all young people who participate with emotion and involvement in the Festival, as when they take part in the procession, carrying the statue of the Lord on their shoulders.
Music and folklore characterize the atmosphere of this Festival, from the sound of the drums that accompanies the Procession to the fireworks that light up the Way of the cross, the other most important moment of the Fest staged from the first to the last act by professional actors. There Procession of the Dead Christ ends the celebrations.
A religious festival and at the same time a show not to be missed, Easter in Acate is an event that puts its participants in contact with the most authentic spirit of the Festival.

The story linked to Easter in Acate

Ancient village tradition, the Easter Festival in Acate has always been characterized by choral performances, in which all the inhabitants of the village participate enthusiastically during Holy Week. However, for some decades, the most important tradition, namely the Procession of Christ to the Column, had been canceled from the program of the Festival. Finally reintroduced a few years ago, this tradition has once again involved everyone in Acate.
Together with Feast of the Patron Saint, Saint Vincent Martyr, in Acate Easter is one of the most important celebrations for the local inhabitants.

When Easter takes place in Acate

Easter in Acate is celebrated every year at the end of the Holy Week.

Where Easter takes place in Acate

The most important places of Easter in Acate are above all the places touched by the Processions, such as Piazza Crispi, Corso Indipendenza, Piazza Libertà and Piano San Vincenzo; the Via Crucis starts from the Mother Church, the beautiful Church of San Nicola di Bari.

What to do during Easter in Acate

During Easter in Acate, you can organize a magnificent spring holiday in Sicily: a perfect stay that will allow you to attend the celebrations and at the same time discover the flavours, traditions and places of this village with an ancient history.
In the historic centre, at least three mighty buildings stand out, which deserve a thorough stop on your tour to discover the town: the Mother Church of San Nicola di Bari, rebuilt after the earthquake of 1864, where you can admire some elements of the original structure, dating back to the XIII century; The Castle of the Princes of Biscari, built at the end of the XNUMXth century, the Church of St. Vincent, close to the Castle, where the relics of the town's patron saint are kept and the Church of the Madonna del Carmelo, seventeenth-century church developed with a single nave. Furthermore, if you decide to make a stop at the Municipal Library, you can also visit the building Church of the Capuchin Friars Minor.
Another of the pleasures that Acate offers you is that of traditional cuisine: ragusani arancini, scacce and almond pesto are among the most typical flavors of the area and of course there are other traditional dishes, such as the vinegar cutlet, the beccafico sardines and the swordfish rolls, which you can taste in a of the premises of Acate. To find out everything about this delightful town in the Ragusa area, also go to the coast, visiting Acate Marina, about 13 km from the centre.

How is it possible to get to Acate for Easter

Acate is easily reached with the driving feel, thanks to the SS115; alternatively, you can arrive in the village with the train, getting off at Ragusa station (about 23 km away) and continuing to the center by bus or shuttle.