Story

Scicli is a miracle of architectural harmony, softly nestled at the crossroads of three steep valleys called "cave". Prosperous since the Arab and Norman eras, the city found its definitive and sublime form in the eighteenth-century reconstruction following the earthquake of 1693. Via Mormino Penna, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an open-air living room where churches and noble palaces alternate in a symphony of golden stone. The scenic beauty of its façades, enriched by masks and mythological figures, has made Scicli one of the most admired and iconic film sets in Italy, a symbol of an aristocratic elegance that has remained intact over the centuries.

Tradition and Historical Festival

The most overwhelming and unique rite of Scicli is the Feast of the Living Man (il Gioia), which celebrates the Resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday. The simulacrum of the Risen Christ is carried on the shoulders of the city's young people in a frenetic and joyful procession, characterized by a "race" punctuated by the cry "Joy! Joy!". The statue almost seems to dance and stagger among the crowd, in a rite of strength and collective jubilation that transforms the religious solemnity into an explosion of vital energy, accompanied by the incessant sound of the musical bands and the jubilation of the faithful.

Gastronomy and Typical Dishes

The gastronomic brand that identifies Scicli is the Testa di Turco. Although the name may evoke a savory dish, it is a gigantic choux pastry puff, whose shape recalls the turban of the defeated Saracens. This monumental dessert is filled with a rich custard or sweetened cow's milk ricotta and chocolate chips. The Turk's Head is traditionally prepared to celebrate the Madonna delle Milizie, in memory of the legendary battle of 1091 in which the Virgin, on a white horse, helped the Normans defeat the Saracens, sanctioning the liberation of the city.