Things to do in Sorrento-Easter 2016
Easter in Sorrento. If you’re visiting Sorrento and the peninsula area this year. Some things not to be missed are the processions held in many of the towns along the coast. “Cristo Morte”, this year’s Processione Del Venerdi Santo is Friday, March 25, around 2:00am…yes a bit early but definitely a sight to see. The entire town is deeply engaged in these religious traditions. The “white procession”, lasts approximately 3 hours and the “black procession” will commence at Thursday, March 24, about 8:30pm. (Photo credit: Gaetano Astarita”Venerdi Santo”)
The Sorrentine Peninsula is one among very few local tourist places that continues to preserve the essence and flavors of the secular community, while embracing the Christian faith of its locals. From Palm Sunday, to the Black night Procession on Holy Friday, which is the most characteristic, the holy week is extremely intense. Meta, Piano di Sorrento, Sant’Agnello and Sorrento, offer the tourists a memorable experience that embraces, history, culture, tradition, and religion.
Holy Friday Procession in Sorrento
The Addolorata Procession, better known as the white procession, is organized by the Archconfraternity of Santa Monica. The procession of the death of Jesus Christ, better known as the Black Procession is organized by the Archconfraternity of the Dead.
The Sorrento white procession begins during the early hours of holy Friday, and finishes at dawn. The members of the procession wear a white garment and a hood covering their faces. This procession represents the Virgin Mary searching for her son who has been condemned to death.
The statue of the Madonna is carried on the shoulders of the members of the confraternity.
The Sorrento black Procession begins at night, the members of the procession wear a black garment and a hood that covers their faces. The participants walk through the streets of Sorrento while carrying on their shoulders the statue of the body of Jesus Christ. The other members carry symbols of the Passion and martyrdom of Jesus Christ, such as the nails from the cross. This is the oldest procession in Sorrento, and one of the oldest procession throughout Italy.
The procession begins with a band that plays some of the most well-known funeral marches, including Chopin. There is also the choir that is made up of 200 members.
Pastiera per Pasqua