Easter in Campania: the most enchanting rituals to discover

Holy Week and Easter in Campania represent a journey through faith, tradition, and popular culture. Every city and village preserves ancient and evocative rituals passed down from generation to generation: solemn processions, poignant chants, sacred representations, and devotional gestures transform the streets into scenes of deep spirituality and immersive folklore.

The Inventory of Campania's Intangible Cultural Heritage (IPIC) recognizes and safeguards many of these celebrations, welcoming new traditions each year. Its goal is to catalog and enhance the traditional practices connected to the traditions, knowledge, practices, and skills of the Campanian community, highlighting their deep connection with local communities and preserving them as an integral part of regional memory.

Here are the most evocative celebrations, along with some curiosities, to discover in Campania in April.

On the island of Procida (NA), the traditional Procession of the Mysteries comes to life on Good Friday, a parade full of charm and spirituality. The allegorical floats, known as "mysteries," are made of papier-mâché and recycled materials, the result of the citizens' craftsmanship. A curiosity: the statue of the Dead Christ, the procession’s main figure, is a wooden artwork dating back to 1728.

In Minori (SA), on Good Friday, the chants of the Battenti resonate, a tradition with centuries-old roots. One hundred and twenty men dressed in white walk the streets singing baroque melodies of heart-wrenching intensity. The only song accompanied by music is "Sento l’amaro pianto," performed solemnly on Good Friday evening.

In the village of Lapio (AV), the Passion of Christ is represented through twenty-two spectacular "tables" with life-sized papier-mâché statues scattered throughout the town’s squares and streets. On Good Friday night, young men dressed as Roman guards symbolically watch over the sepulcher until dawn, creating a highly evocative atmosphere.

In the Vallo di Lauro, the ritual of the White-Clad involves a group of devotees who sing verses of the Way of the Cross, led by a tenor. Their chant, intense and melancholic, blends deep male voices and high-pitched female notes, creating an ancestral lament of extraordinary intensity.

In Sessa Aurunca (CE), Good Friday is marked by the solemn Procession of the Mysteries, with six confraternities parading among statues, bonfires, and sacred chants. This historically significant rite was maintained even during the war, when it took place under the lights of Allied troops.

On Holy Saturday in Roccagloriosa (SA), the sound of the "carruzzuni" – noisy 16th-century instruments – accompanies three parallel processions through the village streets. To this day, these ancient instruments are passed down from generation to generation and played using centuries-old manual techniques.

In Aiello del Sabato (AV), Easter Day is marked by the tradition of "Rosamarina": a branch decorated with citrus fruits is given to the faithful, accompanied by traditional songs. The name of this ritual comes from rosemary, which was once used instead of fir to make the gift.

In Naples and its surroundings, the Monday after Easter is the day of the great pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Madonna dell’Arco. Thousands of "fujenti," devoted pilgrims, walk to the sanctuary to honor the Madonna. According to legend, the sacred image bled in 1450 after being struck during a game, giving rise to this ancient devotion.

In the enchanting Pertosa-Auletta Caves (SA), every Easter Monday, a Mass is celebrated in front of the tabernacle of Saint Michael the Archangel. This sacred place has a history of worship that dates back over 3,000 years, from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages.

In Parete (CE), the Flight of the Angels is a captivating and emotional Easter rite: two little girls, suspended in the air, "fly" to the churchyard to pay homage to the Madonna. Under their costumes, they wear a harness, part of an ancient ritual passed down through the centuries.

In Giugliano (NA), Easter is also celebrated through the tammurriata, a folk dance that combines music and devotion. The festival culminates on the shores of Lake Patria, amidst ritual sounds and dances. Among the typical musical instruments, the "siscariello" stands out, a handcrafted flute made from locally gathered reeds.

In Somma Vesuviana (NA), the "Mountain Festival" is an event that blends faith, chants, and ritual fires in honor of Madonna del Castello. The statue of the Virgin has a fascinating history: it was found after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1631 and solemnly brought back to the mountain in 1650, where it is still venerated today.

In Pagani (SA), the Festival of Madonna delle Galline is an explosion of music, dances, and folk songs. Legend has it that in the 16th century, a group of hens digging in the ground unearthed a miraculous image of the Madonna, giving rise to this unique celebration.

Castelvetere sul Calore – The Spunziatrici (April 28)

In Castelvetere sul Calore (AV), on April 28, the Madonna delle Grazie is honored with the procession of the "spunziatrici," little girls who distribute blessed tortani (traditional bread). This tradition is rooted in an ancient miracle linked to an unexpected snowfall… in the middle of spring.