Easter in Sicily where the Catholic tradition mixes with ancient pagan rites
Every year the "Midday kiss " between the Madonna and the Risen Christ, a rite of ancient memory, draws thousands of visitors to Modica on the occasion of Easter.
On Easter Sunday the Feast of Our Lady "Vasa Vasa" is celebrated
Easter Sunday, for the Feast of Our Lady “Vasa Vasa", From the Sicilian term" vasari ", or" kiss ", the splendid Corso Umberto, dotted with Baroque palaces, is crossed by a flood of people up to Church of St. Mary of Bethlehem.
The most suggestive moment, very much felt by the locals, is the one in which the two statues of the Madonna and Christ, carried on the shoulders by the faithful "look for each other" along the way. They find themselves facing each other. The statue of the Madonna spreads and clasps her arms as a sign of joy at the sight of her risen son. It gets rid of the black cloth, an expression of mourning, to give way to the celestial cloak. At the same time, just to underline the importance of the happy event, dozens of white doves take flight.
After Easter, the Tuesday of Itria: a tradition from the East
In Modica the celebrations continue even after Easter and Easter Monday with Tuesday of Itria.
In the neighborhood of the same name, in the Parish of Sant'Anna, there is a small chapel dedicated just to Madonna of the Itria in which the simulacrum is kept.
A tradition much loved by the Modicans and that comes from the East. It is said that two blind men from Constantinople were led by the Madonna to the Sanctuary of Modica on the top of the Itria hill. There the two men regained their sight. The Virgin was proclaimed "Hodegetria ", abbreviated "Itria" or "Idria" which means "guide in life".
Both these religious traditions are accompanied by rich lunches based on cavatelli with sauce and “piretti” (cedars). But also from playing "Sotto 90". Young and old, enjoying the cookies mucatoli and ricotta cassatine, typical party sweets, undertake to draw three bingo numbers so that their sum does not exceed 90.
Modica: a city not to be missed!
Modica, perched as it is on a rocky spur between two gorges carved by streams, is worth a visit even without the crowds of Easter faithful.
Corso Umberto e via Germans, once beds of streams that disastrously overflowed in 1902, are perfect for a walk through history.
You can admire the statues of the twelve apostles in front of the scenic staircase of the Church of San Pietro. It was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693 by the daughter of a Turkish prince, who converted to Catholicism. The typical crescent moon adorns the family crest under the organ counter.
Moving to Modica Alta one cannot fail to visit the wonderful Cathedral of St. George, in the shape of a chalice. Get ready to climb 250 steps to discover that it is the only church in Italy, besides the Milan Cathedral, with five naves.
With the altar behind you, locate the small hole in the upper left. At noon the beam of light that crosses it draws a sundial along the entire floor of the transept and indicates the zodiac sign in which you are at the moment.
Modica: stops under the sign of sweetness, between chocolate and ice cream
Not just Baroque. Even desserts in Sicily are a glory. Modica, for example, is famous for its chocolate. Cold worked, without milk and butter, it is truly delicious.
The cult place to taste a good chocolate is theAntica Dolceria Bonaiuto. Founded in 1880, it is the oldest confectionery on the island. A place full of charm as well as history. It offers the opportunity to appreciate the master chocolatiers at work. Also try delights with particular combinations: lemon, chilli, ginger.
During the Easter period, the "Lenten sweets" are prepared with almonds and pistachio grains and the "Cardinals", covered with chocolate glaze.
http://comune.modica.gov.it/site/
