Processione dei Misteri di Trapani

Name: Processione dei Misteri di Trapani
Start: 2025-04-17
End: 2025-04-18
Location: Trapani

Sicily’s Greatest Passion Procession—A Night Cloaked in Sorrow and Prayer

2026/04/02 - 2026/04/03

Every Good Friday, the port city of Trapani on Sicily’s western tip is transformed by the “Processione dei Misteri.” For 24 hours, a solemn procession winds through the city’s streets, filled with faith, artistry, and the deep emotions of its people. The air is thick with the scent of incense throughout the night, slow drumbeats echo, and flickering lanterns illuminate baroque sculptures. For those seeking religious tradition, cultural spectacle, or the experience of “living art,” this procession is truly unforgettable.

Held annually on Good Friday, the event is open to all—locals, pilgrims, and tourists alike. It’s a festival where community, art, and faith come together, allowing you to feel the very soul of Sicily.

Main Attractions

The Misteri Groups

At the heart of the festival are 20 life-sized wooden “Misteri” statues depicting the Passion of Christ. Each float is carried by a local guild, moving with the unique swaying step known as “annacata.” Lavishly decorated with flowers, candles, and silver, these floats are breathtaking, and the weight of history is felt in every carved detail and solemn movement.

The 24-Hour Procession

The procession begins at 2 p.m. on Good Friday and continues until the same time the next day, winding through the old city. Brass bands play mournful marches, the air is filled with incense and candle wax, the cool night air and the feel of the wooden floats, and the pressure of the crowd—all combine to create a quiet, moving experience. Many along the route are in tears or deep in prayer, and the whole city is wrapped in a solemn atmosphere.

Costumes and Decorations

Participants wear black tunics, white gloves, and sashes. Balconies and churches are draped in purple and gold cloth, streetlights are dimmed, and the city is lit by the gentle glow of lanterns and candles. The interplay of shadow and light, the shimmer of silver, and the scent of lilies and incense create a dreamlike scene.

Traditional Food & Drink

Throughout the night, local bakeries offer Easter treats such as cuddura cu l’ova (sweet bread with eggs), cassatelle (ricotta-filled pastries), and panelle (chickpea fritters). The aroma of fresh bread and sweet almonds drifts through the streets, while vendors serve hot coffee and Marsala wine to keep participants and spectators warm.

Cultural and Historical Background

The origins of the Misteri procession date back to the 17th century, during the period of Spanish rule. Each float is cared for by a local guild—fishermen, carpenters, bakers—who maintain it year-round and pass it down through generations. For the people of Trapani, this procession is a sacred duty, a symbol of identity, memory, and local pride. The unbroken 24-hour fusion of art and faith is the very spirit of the city.

Today, thousands of visitors come each year and the event is broadcast across Italy, but its heart remains in the hands and spirit of Trapani’s families and guilds.

Participant Voices

I visited from Milan. The silence, the music, the scent of incense—it was overwhelming. A woman told me her family has cared for their Misteri float for over a century, and I realized this is not just a procession, but their whole life.

Fun Facts

The procession covers more than 20 kilometers and continues non-stop for 24 hours.
The unique “annacata” swaying walk is said to imitate the movement of fishermen’s boats.
Some Misteri floats are considered treasures of Sicilian art, having survived earthquakes and wars.