Procession of the Mysteries in Trapani For twenty consecutive hours, the Procession of the Mysteries in Trapani, along the streets of the city experiencing unforgettable moments. From the afternoon of Friday to the Saturday preceding Easter Sunday, an incredible crowd penetrates in the most 'total mysticism of the drama of the death and passion of Christ. In this report I wanted to center my attention to the faces of the people. Peculiar faces marked by tension, by faith and effort. This is the ancient heart of Trapani.

The Procession of the Mysteries of Trapani - Good Friday Easter
Benito Marino

In no other corner of the earth, as in Sicily, there are many religious events, all concentrated during Holy Week. The most 'great work is certainly the one of Trapani, who for twenty consecutive hours through the streets of the city experiencing unforgettable moments. From the afternoon of Friday to the Saturday preceding Easter Sunday, an incredible crowd penetrates in the most 'total mysticism of the drama of the death and passion of Christ.

The city is lost in a festive atmosphere, passion, faith, folklore, fun. The streets are full of people, strange smells (food, flowers, burnt wax, incense) and retailers around: the roasted seeds, colorful candy, food, toys, balloons, of booklets and reproductions of the Mysteries.

The bells of the beautiful baroque churches to play dead when the procession is approaching. The notes of the numerous bands accompany and make it, in a race with no holds barred, more 'rich and more' imposing various sculptural groups.

But what are the Mysteries of Trapani? Eighteen groups of sculptures, wood, canvas and glue, that tell the main episodes of the Passion of Christ. These groups are a valuable heritage of art and faith made over time by famous sculptors or modest artisans, all animated by an undeniable religious fervor, that he gave in Trapani on priviligeio to possess the greatest number and artistically most 'important of images sacred of holy week. The Scudamiglio, the Orlando, brothers Tipa, the Matera, are among the most popular names 'most illustrious among the authors' of the ancient Mysteries. The most 'recent were the Cafiero, the Fodale, the Li Muli and Messina. All talented artists who have left in Trapani and Trapanesi wonderful signs of faith, art, culture, history.

The Procession of the Mysteries originated from Spain, where it was imported in the sixteenth century. The original name was "Las Casazas," that after the end of Spanish rule change in various ways. Prevailed that of the Mysteries, from the Latin Ministerium, or function, in the Middle Ages it was used to indicate theatrical compositions of sacred subject, represented in the period of the Passion.

Particularly in Trapani in Sicily and in the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth in the flourishing shops of craftsmen that the Mysteries were created, in the end, were made up of eighteen groups.

The procession that winds through all the streets of the city, in addition to the statuary groups, is composed of men, women and children in elegant costumes. Then there are the hooded and representatives of corporations to which the group itself. They are brought banners, crosses, huge candles and vestments.

The mysteries are carried on the shoulders of the "massari" strong men with hard shoulders, and back elastic, at least twelve in number. An important element for the success of the great feast is the spirit of competition and emulation that exists between the various corporations. For them to have the Mystery more 'beautiful and most' rich is a point of honor.

The end of the procession is not shut down and stand still ....... even one day ...... need to think of the Procession of the following year!