Holy Week in Italy: the Procession of the Mysteries in Taranto

Ancient rites during Holy Week in Italy dates back to Spanish domination. In many towns of Southern Italy sombre and solemn religious processions are held on the Thursday, Friday or Saturday before Easter.

This video is about one of the most renowned: “the procession of the Mysteries” from Taranto in Puglia region. The streets are lined with processions with participants dressed in traditional costumes walking totally barefoot at an exasperate slow pace rocking from side to side. Hooded men ask for God’s forgiveness walking barefoot all night long. Italian rites of Holy Week with their baroque and dark atmosphere mix together devotion, mysticism and tradition.