Events in Sardinia: Easter Celebrations in Sardinia

Easter celebrations at Alghero are of Catalonian origin and take place in the picturesque setting of the historic quarter. The peak of the celebrations are representing from Good Friday, when the "Desclavament" (meaning descension originating from Catalonian dialect) is celebrated: in the fifteenth century cathedral, four participants in traditional costume approach the precious wooden crucifix which dates back to the 1600’s, and they take off the thorn crown and nails and they lay them down on the "bressol" (the “crib”) which is them carried by procession throughout the streets of the city and the crowds, who all hold the “farols”; traditional candles.

At Castelsardo, a beautiful town situated in the north of Sardinia perched above the sea, holds its main celebrations of Holy Week on Easter Monday, known as Lunissanti. Celebrations begin at dawn with mass in the church of Santa Maria and continue through to the evening, where after a long procession until the nearby Tergu, celebrators return to church after having paraded the narrow streets of the city, illuminated by torch lights (Li Fiaccoli). All the rituals are accompanied with Gregorian rituals of ancient medieval tradition.