The Sicilian legend of Colapesce was illustrated beautifully during the 2019 Archi di Pasqua of San Biagio Platani. Colapesce is a hero in Sicilians’ eyes. Born Nicola di Messina, the name Colapesce is rooted in Cola from Nicola and Pesce, fish. Colapesce was nicknamed so because he was an apt swimmer who could hold his…
Tag: san biagio platani
Find Your Roots In Sicily
Helping Americans with Sicilian heritage connect to Sicily while researching their roots is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do at Experience Sicily. It is not simply finding names of relatives in the town hall and obtaining official birth certificates. This of course is important; however, I also want you to feel…
The Saintly Details
Santa Rosalia, as illustrated in this year’s Archi di Pasqua… Created in a mosaic style using cereals. She is depicted holding a skull, which is a reminder of our mortality.
Gifts From Mother Earth
The chandeliers that line the main corridor of San Biagio Platini’s Archi di Pasqua (Arches of Easter) are made with natural materials. Citizens of the town spend months creating these works of art that celebrate the gifts from Mother Earth.
Circular Loaves For Maria Santissima
The Maria Santissima or Madonna brotherhood side of the Archi di Pasqua in San Biagio Platani, Sicily is decorated in blue and features artwork illustrating the legends and myths of Sicily and its saints and ancient divinities. Pictured here is the entrance archway that displays the cuddura circular bread (behind the white, glazed bread loaves)…
Cuddura Bread Loaves For The Mother
Bread loaves created in the form of a circle or doughnut may be found all over Sicily. The name, “cuddura” bread (also called cuddureddi), comes from the ancient Greek word kollura (or kuddura), which means crown. The loaves are shaped as such so that shepherds and those working in the grain fields and vineyards could…
The Easter Bread Arches of San Biagio Platani
Live from Sicily! We’ve experienced so much during these past two days while in Agrigento Province. A highlight has been seeing the work of the two brotherhoods from San Biagio Platini for their annual Archi di Pane, or the Easter Bread Arches. An Easter Sunday procession that unites Jesus and Mary in the center of…
Peace for Easter Monday
Buona Pasquetta! Happy Easter Monday! This is a close-up of one of the works of art from the Archi di Pane in San Biagio Platani. My cousin, Filippo Buttitta, attended the 2016 feast and took this photo.
Homage To Mother and Son
Happy Easter! Today marks the start of the “Archi di Pasqua,” or the Arches of Easter in San Biagio Platini in Agrigento Province. From now until May 6, the mountain town’s Corso Umberto (i.e., Main Street) will be decorated with elaborate archways, domes, and bell towers constructed using river reeds, willow, asparagus, bay leaf, rosemary,…
The Amazing Bread Arches of Easter
Once again this year (after a hiatus last year), the citizens of San Biagio Platini in Agrigento Province will recognize Christ’s triumph over death with the “Archi di Pasqua,” or the Arches of Easter. This year from April 1 until May 6, the mountain town’s Corso Umberto (i.e., Main Street) will be outfitted with elaborate…