Page 44 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sicily

42  INTRODUCING SICIL Y

SICILY THROUGH THE YEAR

Sicilians say that Sicily has the most highest ever recorded in Italy. However,
beautiful sky in the world; certainly the winters can be cold, especially inland, and
island enjoys over 2,000 hours of sunshine Mount Etna remains snowcapped into the
per year, more than any other part of spring. A land of ancient customs and deep-
Europe. The climate is generally mild, but rooted beliefs, Sicily has preserved most of
it can get hot in high summer. In 1885 the its traditional celebrations, almost all of
temperature rose to 49.6° C (121.3° F), the them religious in nature.

Spring
Spring generally begins early
in Sicily, although the weather
can be quite unpredictable
and patterns vary from year to
year. In areas with orchards the
air is filled with the scent of
spring blossoms, and early
flowers make this a particularly
lovely time for visiting ancient
sites. This is also the season
with the greatest number of
feast days, processions and
festivals (sagre). Almost all Processione dei Misteri (Procession of Mysteries) at Trapani
these events are linked with
the celebration of Easter. Caltanissetta. “Days of suffering Sagra della Ricotta (24 May),
and grief”, with impressive The soft cheese used in many
April processions. Maundy a Sicilian dish is celebrated at
Sagra della Ricotta e del Thursday Procession, Marsala. Musso meli near Caltanissetta.
Formaggio (cheeses), Vizzini. A kilometre of masked figures.
Sagra del Carciofo Festa del SS Crocifisso (Fri),
(artichokes), Cerda, Palermo. Calatafimi, Trapani. Il Cristo Summer
Morto (Fri), Partanna, Trapani. Sports, summer vacations,
The Crucifixion is re-enacted. many important musical
Processione dei Misteri (Fri), events, folk celebrations and
Trapani. Floats with statues food festivals characterize the
grouped in scenes from the long summer in Sicily. The
Passion and hooded men weather does, however, get
commemorate Christ’s sacrifice extremely hot in certain places
in the Procession of Mysteries,
which lasts for 20 hours.
Ballo dei Diavoli (Sun), Prizzi,
Palermo. Masked men perform
the “devils’ dance”, which
symbolizes the struggle
between good and evil.
The Sfilata dei Misteri, which takes place on May
Good Friday in Trapani International Windsurfing
Championship, Mondello
Easter Week and Palermo.
Celebrazione dei Misteri (all Classic Theatre, every year at
week), Enna. The Stations of Syracuse and Segesta.
the Cross commemorations Settimana delle Egadi, island
and processions all week long. of Favignana. The traditional
Festa del Pane (bread) (all mattanza tuna fishing method
week), San Biagio dei Platani is celebrated.
and Agrigento. Bread sculpture L’Infiorata, Noto. The streets
and decoration. Settimana are filled with images and Re-enactment of Christ’s Crucifixion at
Santa (Wed, Thu, Fri), words created with flowers. Partanna, Trapani

042-043_EW_Sicily.indd 42 11/3/16 2:06 PM