Sicily’s Easter processions and celebrations are the most famous in Italy. They are the legacy of the 17th century Spanish domination of the island, and still bear a close resemblance to current Easter traditions in Spain.

"I Misteri" procession, in Trapani, represents the most important traditional event of the year for the local community, attracting many of visitors.

Sant' Agata is Catania’s patron saint and is celebrated in February from the 3rd to the 5th with one of the largest religious processions in Italy.

Agata lived during the third century AD, when Sicily was under the Roman Empire, and was the daughter of an important rich local family. She was very religious and, while still very young, decided to dedicate her life to God by resisting any men who wanted her at a turbulent time in Sicily, when Christians were prosecuted.

This year, Carnival celebrations will start around Friday, January 25 and finish on Tuesday, February 05, 2008. This time of the year, the weather in Sicily is still quite unstable and temperatures usually range between 6 and 16 degrees Celsius, nonetheless, it is an interesting time to visit the island as mount Etna is covered in snow and Carnival festivals make a visit all the more interesting.

February is a busy month in Sicily as different yearly appointments coincide this year: Carnival, Sant' Agata in Catania, the almond festival in Agrigento and now even the more modern San Valentine's Day. Hopefully, as time passes we will be able to talk about each in more depth. However, for the time being we will focus on an activity that is closely related to family in Ispica, where they get together to prepare the 'gnucchitti', which are a typical pasta prepared for two occasions Carnival and the Holy Thursday.