The celebrations of the Holy Week in Cagliari (Sa Chida Santa) take place along the streets of Old Town. They are organized by three ancient Archconfraternities, which bring to life the most striking moments of the Passion, death and resurrection of Christ. The celebrations begin on Friday before Palm Sunday with the Procession of the Mysteries (Is Misterius): the seven statues representing the Passion, in seven churches, to symbolize the seven stations of the Cross.
Holy Wednesday the Sisters of the Holy Cross wash and perfume the statue of Christ, to prepare it for rites de S’Incravamentu (the crucifixion), which takes place on Thursday. This rite is followed by a long procession, in which the statue of the patron of the city, Saint Efisio, is in mourning and led through the streets of the city. The most evocative moment, however, the procession S’Interru (funeral procession) of the dead Christ, followed by Our, is brought to the Cathedral of Santa Maria. The celebrations conclude on Easter Sunday with S’Incontru, that the meeting of the statues of the Madonna dressed up and the Risen Christ. They bow to each other three times, beginning of the Easter celebrations.
