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In Trapani, Holy Week is expressed through one of the most intense and long‑standing rites of the Sicilian tradition: the Procession of the Mysteries, a religious and cultural event that has been handed down for centuries and still involves the entire community.
At the heart of this extraordinary rite are 18 sculptural groups plus two simulacra, masterpieces created between the 17th and 18th centuries in wood, canvas and glue, depicting moments from the Passion of Christ. Each group is entrusted to one of the city's guilds and carried on the shoulders of confraternity members known as "Massari" through the streets of the city, accompanied by the solemn sound of funeral marches and the measured beat of the traditional ciàccole ("clappers").
The procession starts from the Chiesa del Purgatorio (Church of Purgatory), and continues uninterrupted for almost 24 hours, crossing the historic centre in an atmosphere of reverence and awe. The entire procession moves through subdued lighting, silences heavy with meaning, and an engaged crowd that follows, photographs, prays, and reflects.
The return of the Sacred Groups to the Church of Purgatory on the following day is one of the most eagerly awaited and moving moments: the final entrance of the Virgin of Sorrows, greeted by applause, tears, and music, marks the conclusion of the procession and the spiritual heart of Holy Week in Trapani.
Alongside the great Good Friday procession, the city also preserves two other ancient traditions: the Pietà processions, which take place in the preceding days and help to shape a collective narrative of faith, art, and popular identity.
Holy Week in Trapani is not merely a religious event: it is an intangible heritage safeguarded for centuries, a living expression of the city's collective memory and soul, lovingly preserved each year by the Unione Maestranze (Union of Artisans).
91100 Trapani TP, Italia
