The processions of Easter represent the event most felt, followed and participated in southern Italy and in particular the Sorrento peninsula.
Faithful who participate in the procession, with their faces covered, eliminate their own identity and identify themselves with Christ.
In Sorrento, but also: Vico Equense, Meta di Sorrento, Piano di Sorrento, Sant’Agnello and Massa Lubrense
Holy week begins not a real procession, but a representation
Every two years, on Holy Monday in Meta di Sorrento: “La via della croce”
(The way of the cross) Organized by the group “olivi olimpici” There was this year (2025), so then it will compensate us in all odd years. This is a figurative event, the via Crucis is represented and the participants as real actors take the viewer in a state of suffering and sadness while watching Christ who is about to be crucified.
major differences between the processions:
The “white” one (named after the garment worn by the participants)
and represents the search of the Virgin Mary who goes on the streets in search of the son.
The “black” procession instead represents the way of Christ to the cross and therefore the passion and death.
the symbols used in each black procession are as follows:
- the lantern with which Jesus’ face was recognized in Gethsemane
- the bag in which were contained the thirty denarii of Judas’ «betrayal»
- the cock that sang three times after Peter lied
- the bacillus and the tablecloth in memory of the gesture of Pontius Pilate to wash his hands declaring himself innocent
- the column and the scourge that symbolize the first «material offenses» to Jesus
- the red robe and crown with which the Roman soldiers mocked Jesus
- the hammer and nails used to crucify Jesus
- the shroud on which the face of Christ remained imprinted
- the sponge with which «gall» was administered to quench the thirst of the Crucifix
- the spear used to establish the «death» of the Son of God
Where and when to watch the processions in and around Sorrento?
In Sorrento, the processions take place on Holy Thursday from 20.30
and Good Friday from 3.00 in the night
In Sant’Agnello, the processions take place on Holy Thursday from 8.00 pm and on Good Friday from 2.30 am.
In Piano di Sorrento, the processions take place on Holy Thursday from 20.30 and 22.00, and on Good Friday from 2.30, 2.45 and 19.45.
In Massa Lubrense: holy Friday
19:30 Black procession of the dead Christ of the Brotherhood of San Filippo Neri
20:45 Black Procession of the Dead Christ of the Archconfraternity of Death and Prayer
At Meta on Holy Thursday at 20:30 there will be the white procession
and Good Friday at 2:30 in the night the black procession, while at 20.00: Black Procession of the Dead Christ.
in Vico equense The procession of the Dead Christ of the purple hooded people takes place on Good Friday at 15:30. At Meta on Holy Thursday at 20:30 there will be the white procession
and Good Friday at 2:30 in the night the black procession.
in conclusion:
To an admirer the processions could seem folkloristic, strange, scary, exciting (it’s been a while that there are some videos on different social networks where some guys joke highlighting the similarities of white caps to ku klux klan)
Processions are many things, certainly they are the resistance of a century-old tradition to a world that is gradually becoming homologous.
We warmly invite all tourists, travellers, the curious to listen to the drum rolls that warn the arrival of the procession and gather in silence to hear the noise of solemn feet marching in the night, look at those torches, The symbols and the wearisome weights to carry for hours. We invite you to listen to the “miserere” this deep singing, almost a guttural mantra, but above all observe the people of the place how they behave in front of the procession: their gestures, their looks, their crosses, the children who understand and do not understand. The procession is for everyone, but the locals wait a whole year for this moment, enjoy it with them.
Sorrento as a local 