There's a religious
procession and prayers in virtually
every town in Italy on Good Friday:
the "Via Crucis". Sometimes
with a re-enactment of the Christ's
passion: Roman soldiers, Hebrew priests
and the two thieves either side of
Christ as he carries the heavy wooden
cross on his shoulders, such as that
in Civitavecchia ("processione
del Cristo Morto").
Easter Sunday, on the other hand,
is a day of joy and celebration, especially
in Arlena di Castro, Tarquinia and
Montalto di Castro ("Festa della
Madonna della Vittoria") "Santa
Ferminia".
Also in April, the medieval "Giostra
delle Contrade" in Tarquinia
and the "Antica fiera dei campanelli"
in Acquapendente.
Processione del Cristo Morto Civitavecchia
Hooded men with chains around their
ankles re-enact the episode when Pope
Pius VI granted the Order of "Arciconfraternita
dell'Orazione e Morte" the right
to pardon three men sentenced to death
on Good Friday. The men were hooded
in order to protect their identities,
then three were chosen at random and
set free.
Antica fiera dei Campanelli Acquapendente
Today this is a typical farming community's
country fair , but dates back to 1150
when pilgrims travelling along the
Via Francigena, on their return from
the Holy Land, used to stop off to
sell objects from the East and holy
relics. Bells (campanelli) hung from
the necks of their beasts of burden
to attract the locals' attention
Giostra delle Contrade Tarquinia
24th April. Italian pageantry at its
best: historical processions (Saturday
and Sunday) in mediaeval costume,
mediaeval jousting on the Saturday
between the five town quarters, including
attempts to thread a lance through
a ring, flag throwing displays, music
and a mediaeval supper in costume.
The pageant recalls the final rout
from Tarquinia of the Moors who plagued
the coast until the 10th Century.
Versione Italiana
