Easter celebrations in Sardinia are known as Pasca Manna (Big Easter) and, like most religious festivities, have their roots in a mix of religious and pagan traditions.
Throughout Sardinia, Sos Misterios or Is Misterius, the mysteries linked to the symbols of Christ’s passion, are celebrated. The stages are retraced in similar ways in almost every town on the island.
In Cagliari, on the Friday before Palm Sunday, the Procession of the Mysteries starts, organised by the Arciconfraternita del Santissimo Crocefisso, whose members carry the seven wooden simulacra in procession, each one touching one of the seven churches in the capital.
Throughout the week, the main events take place, experienced with great pathos by the community, such as the Mourning Dressing of the Madonna and the Crucifixion. Women bring to the church su Nenneri, the wheat sprouted in the dark so that it takes on a pale green colour, a symbol of death and resurrection.
On Good Friday, the various processions wind their way through the streets of the old town centre in an evocative atmosphere, marked by choral singing and the colours of the robes of the various confraternities.
On Holy Saturday, however, su Scravamentu takes place, the deposition of the dead Christ from the Cross, who, lying down and covered with veils, is led back to the church to be reunited with the Madonna on Easter Sunday. S’Incontru (the Meeting) is the most eagerly awaited and joyfully experienced moment: the simulacra of Christ and the Mother, dressed in festive colours, meet proceeding from opposite directions and greet each other with a triple bow, in a triumph of applause. Then they return together to the church, where the Solemn Mass is celebrated.
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