Sciacca Carnevale Museum

The city of Sciacca is famous for its centuries-old Carnevale, the oldest "mardi gras" type of celebration in Sicily and one of the most famous in Italy. This delightful museum highlights the tradition and its artistic expressions, and is a fun place for kids and adults alike.

The elaborate and enormous allegorical floats are created in colorfully sculpted paper mache by local artisans, done each year with a touch of humor or irony towards the events, politics and trends of the past year. They works of art, as are the costumes and choreography. The museum puts the magic and artistry of the parades and the inner workings of the carnevale on display.

The museum assembles some of the components of the floats so you can get an idea of the scale and craftsmanship that goes into them. There is a photographic exhibit, some in 3-D, and a parade of costumes, each one handmade by local seamstresses. More than 100 recreations of allegorical floats are crafted exactingly in ceramic and on permanent display, works of art in themselves. There is also a display of the craft of paper-mache. Don't miss the surround-theater, that puts you right in the middle of the Carnevale parade.

Hours: from 9:00 AM til 1:00 PM and from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Closed Mondays.