Alghero, Santu Lussurgiu and Iglesias: the most important Easter events
In the Nurra the "Setmana Santa de l’Alguer" (the Holy week of Alghero) is considered a very interesting and deeply touching event. It is about a baroque recurrence celebrated in the narrow alleyes and bottlenecks of the the catalan old town centre, which for the occasion is illuminated by lamps covered with red sheets and by large candles which parade in the night during the crowed Good Friday procession. The rite is unchanged posed again, reproposing the ancient stamp left by the first catalan colonizer disembarked in the XIV century.
Solemn processions are traditionally attended by the Jermans Blancs of the association "Confraternita della Misericordia". The so called Confrarìas of hooded, arrive from all Catalunya to pay tribute to Alicante's Christ, parading with the typical clothes of that time. The Christ, made of wood and engraved in 1500 according to the spanish art, was handed over to Alghero after the shipwreck of the "Santa Maria di Montenero" 's sailing ship in 1606. The wood simulacrum represents one of the chief protagonists of the mystery of the “desclavament”, the Good Friday “Deposition” from the Cross which is celebrated in Santa Maria cathedral. The old local news and the documents of that period say that in the 18th of January 1606, the Santa Maria di Montenero sailship set out from the spanish dock of Alicante sailing to Genova but didn't reach its destination becouse it sank owing to a storm just when was coming to Porto Conte gulf. The crucifix was recovered from the stowed goods and was delivered to the Santa Maria della Pietà friary. When the so called "Osservanti"-Friars left the friary, they took it first to the small church of Santa Barbara and later to the Misericordia church, so that the confraternity seat. In 1855 Friars left Alghero and entrust it to their brothers, which are still worshiping and watching over it.
In Iglesias (Sulcis-Iglesiente) the traditional day and night processions are still reproposed from the 1600: tourists rush to the mining centre from all Europe. On Tuesday takes place the Mystery procession ("processione dei Misteri") and on Wednesday the "Addolorata" one. The so called procession of the Mountain or of the Calvary ("La processione del Monte" or "Calvario"), organized by the "Arciconfraternita della Pietà del Santo Monte", begin in the morning of the Good Friday starting from Saint Michele Church and passes through the old town centre. Some of the symbol of this representation are “is baballottis”: the kids, which wearing the old flagellants clothes and carrying the Cross on their shoulders imitate the archconfraternity members. A deep intensity could unavoidablebly enjoyied by the Meeting between Christ and the Madonna. Also the procession of the "Deposed" ("La processione del Deposto") starts from San Michele Church after the Deposition of Christ from the Cross on Good Friday evening. The rites evidently originate from the spanish traditions, as well it happens in mostly island.
The Good Friday is one of the most touching popular religious event in Teulada too, where in the "Nostra Signora del Carmelo" church (Our Lady of the Carmelo) takes place the so called, in local language, "Su Scravamentu" ("Deposition of Christ from the Cross"). In the evening the simulacrum of Christ and Madonna are carried through the main streets of the village during the procession and are followed by the crowd of faithfuls, who walks barefoot as for penance. Not so touching as in Iglesias, Teulada and many other villages of the island this event is anyway condidered important and it is celebrated in Calasetta and Portoscuso as well.
Santu Lussurgiu (Montiferru) boast a very strong affection for religious tradition, showed by the large number of catholic association and activities (as for exemple the "Arciconfraternita del Gonfalone" and the "tre Confraternite"). Here are reproposed some of the most suggestive rites among the most famous one in Sardinia from the Palm Sunday till Easter Monday. Thursday before Easter takes place "S’Incravamentu" (the Crucifixion), preceded by the representation of the Last Supper with the 12 Apostles. On Good Friday is therefore celebrated S’Iscravamentu, so that Deposition of Christ from the Cross. Finally is to enjoy "S’Incontru", the Meeting between the risen Christ and the Madonna on Easter Sunday. Five local choirs: Su Cuncordu ‘e su Rosariu, Su Cuncordu Lussurzesu, Santa Rughe, Don Bosco and Sette Dolores, make more moving and touching all rites celebrated during the Holy Week.
Meana Sardo (Barbagie) as well on Easter Sunday deeply feels S’Incontru moment. On Easter Monday the faithfuls celebrate in the country church of San Lussorio: after the Mass a big banquet and traditional balls take place.
In Ardaùli (Barigadu) the feast become even more involving on Easter Sunday, when the local people rush into the country church of San Quirico, close to the Omodeo lake, to celebrate him for this occasion .
From this religious point of view, among the most interesting village setting in the Baronies' area, is to be mentionned Galtellì.
In Bosa, set in the Marghine-Planargia region, the rites of the Holy week are particularly attended by the local people.
