The flagship event
The Casazza is Nicosia’s flagship cultural event. Ligurian origins in the
16th century, imported into Sicily via Genoa-Palermo trade. In the late-19th
century version it counted 35 scenes from the Old and New Testaments, lasted
about 12 hours on Holy Thursday and involved over 3,000 figures. Giuseppe Pitrè
described it as the most imposing Casazza in Sicily.
After roughly 160 years of silence, the modern re-edition began in 2016 with
a core of local theatre companies and associations. The contemporary Casazza
keeps the itinerant structure: starting at the Cathedral, the procession crosses
the historic centre, stopping in squares and parvises for the key scenes (trial
before Caiaphas, Pilate’s judgement, flagellation, Crucifixion, deposition).
Typical programme
Since 2024 the format runs 4-5 days:
- Holy Wednesday: opening, public rehearsals.
- Holy Thursday: full evening performance (8 main scenes).
- Good Friday: procession of the dead Christ, passion scenes.
- Holy Saturday: deposition, sacred concert.
Target capacity: 3,000 ticketed + ~8,000 in the public spaces.
Tickets and packages
- Single performance:
- 4-day pass:
- Linked weekend package:
traditional dinner + Easter dolci workshop). See Experiences.
Tickets for the 2027 edition go on sale in January 2027.
If you’re coming from abroad
The Casazza is the moment of the year when Nicosia attracts its largest
international flow. We strongly suggest booking accommodation at least 2 months
in advance. Shuttles from Catania and Palermo stations are activated for the
occasion (see Plan your trip).
A note of respect
The Casazza is at once a popular performance and a religious moment. The
figures are locals, not actors. The stage is the city and its squares. Visitors
are asked to behave accordingly: silence during scenes, no flash, no obstruction
of the procession’s path.
