Misteri Di Trapani
Made between the 17th and 18th centuries in the flourishing workshops of Trapani, in cypress wood (frame, limbs and anatomical parts not covered by drapery), cork (overlaid on the frame to recreate the lines of the body), cloth and glue (for the clothing of the characters), according to a special technique known as carchét, they depict episodes from the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ.
Commissioned by the Societas Pretiosissimi Sanguinis Christi et Misterium in the first decade of the 17th century, they were entrusted, as early as 1612, in concession to the Trapani Arts and Crafts Guilds Corporations, so that they could provide for the maintenance, embellishment and necessary expenses for the processional transport, ensuring that the link thus established between the statuary groups and the economic fabric of the city would end up guaranteeing the survival of the rite over the centuries.
The passage of the procession is announced by the roll of drums, followed by the 18 groups of statues, one after the other, carried on the shoulders of the bearers (the massari ). Each group lines up its own procession and is preceded by its own Maestranza in dark dress and followed by its own band that intones the poignant notes of the funeral marches, followed by the two simulacra of Jesus in the Urn and Our Lady of Sorrows wrapped in a long black mantle.
The imposing procession passes through the main streets of the city for 24 hours amidst wings of crowds, and at night, after a brief pause, takes on almost surreal aspects in an atmosphere of mystical and superhuman beauty. Then, at dawn in the vicinity of the fishing harbour, the procession reassembles and resumes its journey to return to the Church of the Anime Sante del Purgatorio (the starting church).
In addition to the central Procession of the Mysteries, the period from March to April is studded with events of solemn preparation for Easter in memory of the Passion of Christ.
With the beginning of the first Friday in Lent, in the 18th-century Church of the Anime Sante del Purgatorio (Holy Souls in Purgatory), the rites of the Scinnute take place, during which two Sacred Groups are moved to the centre of the nave for the religious service. Before and after the service, the Musical Band intones some traditional funeral marches in the churchyard, offering an evocative anticipation of the rites of Holy Week in Trapani.
In addition, on Holy Tuesday and Holy Wednesday in Trapani, two processions are held, dedicated to Mothers of Mercy and organised by the ‘Massari’ and ‘Fruttivendoli’ classes, respectively.
Finally, on Maundy Thursday, the day before the procession of the Mysteries, there is the ‘Vestizione’ of the Sacred Groups, which consists of covering the ‘vara’, the wooden structure on which the Group rests, with a black velvet, the so-called ‘manta’ bearing the name of the class. This is then completed with floral compositions and with silver artefacts of exquisite workmanship made from the 17th century onwards by the Maestranze.
