The Rites of Holy Week in Taranto

Holy Week is a time of considerable intensity both in terms of emotional and religious in many cities and countries represented are events whose origins can be traced to very remote ages. Among the most ancient and special you are without doubt the Holy Week Rites in Taranto.

The holy rites of Taranto have roots far back in time: it is believed the date back to Spanish rule in the South and in fact the events to commemorate the Passion and death of Jesus Christ, they still have many similarities with those of some Spanish cities.

Taranto was the creator of the rites Don Diego Calo, Which at the end of the seventeenth century, he built the statues of Jesus and of Our Dead. Subsequently, these statues were donated by Francesco Antonio Carmine Calo of the Brotherhood which has since had the honor and the burden of carrying on a very old tradition.

The rites of Holy Week in Taranto begins on the afternoon of Holy Thursday, when the pardons come at intervals, from the Church of the Carmine in order to proceed on a pilgrimage to the main churches in the old and the New Village. The two villages are linked by the swing bridge are home to many churches that are, for that day, the object of pilgrimage not only forgive, but of all the faithful. In all the churches is set up, in fact, the Altar of Resurrection (erroneously called the tomb, as on Holy Thursday Jesus is not dead yet).

The Forgive, Which are one of the main figures of the rites Taranto, or are placed pairs of brothers of the Church of the Carmine, pace slowly around the city with a continuous swing said "Nazzecata". Their name "Excuse me" (dialect tarantino The Perdun) You think it refers to the pilgrims who came to Rome to ask the forgiveness of their sins. They are barefoot and wearing a white coat, a white cap with two holes at eye level, a crown of thorns on his head resting, white gloves, a black rosary hung at the waist with a crucifix and sacred medals plus a black leather strap attached to life, representing the whip with which Jesus was shot, and two, respectively bearing the inscriptions embroidered scapulars "Decor" and "Carmeli".
Forgive I also carry a stick about two feet high, symbolizing the ancient pilgrims' staff.

Forgive me I must fall in the mother church by midnight Thursday, when the Church of San Domenico in the old part of the Procession of Our Lady of Sorrows, which runs through the streets of the Borgo Nuovo and in the old church to return to the same base. The statue of the Madonna is carried by the brothers who wear their traditional dress consists of a white coat, a black rosary hung at the waist with a crucifix and sacred medals, a circle of black cloth lined with four white bands, edged with a black mozzetta white, buttoned down the front and a metal plate depicting Our Lady of Sorrows, a black hat trimmed in white, a white cap with two holes at eye level, a crown of thorns on his head resting, stockings and white gloves, black shoes rosettes with white ribbon and black button applied on them.

The procession, accompanied by funeral marches, consists of several figures: the Troccolante which opens the procession to the sound of Troccola; the Weigh representing the stones hurled at Jesus: the Cross Mysteries of, The Third Cross, The Second Cross, Before The Cross, The Throne, L 'Sorrows. There are also four pairs of items Crociferi first two before the Throne, as well as two clubs who have the task of maintaining the orderly procession of the brethren, and to replace if necessary.

The Procession Addolorata lasts all night and ends on the afternoon of Good Friday when the Church of the Carmine, apart from the Procession Mysteries of in which they are carried around the city the statues that symbolize the passion of Jesus

The procession consists of several elements: Troccola, A tool that opens the procession, the Banner or the flag of brotherhood, the Cross the mysteries, The Christ in theThe Column, l 'Ecce HomoThe Cascade, the Crucifix The Shroud of Turin, The Jesus Died, L 'Sorrows. There are also three pairs of items placed in front of the statues and seven clubs who have the task of maintaining the orderly procession of the brethren, and to replace if necessary.


A particular feature is the Statue of Our Lady of The two statues of Our being paraded in two processions (Procession of the Mysteries of Our and Procession) are apparently identical whereas there are significant differences. The most obvious is represented by the symbols: both statues are in the hands of a heart pierced and a handkerchief, but that of Holy Thursday has its heart in the left hand and a handkerchief in his right hand, while the symbols of Good Friday has reversed.

The procession is part of the Carmelite church on the morning of Holy Saturday, when the Troccolante knocks with the bat on the door of the Church to be open to take back the statues.

The rites of Holy Week in Taranto are a real moment of emotional involvement whose effect is not describable in words. Joining is the only true way to understand the fullness sensations that this cultural tradition and faith is able to convey. All rituals are accompanied by a climate of full participation: every citizen, regardless of age, participate fully in the events and also the city, with its sea and its beauty seems to devote himself fully to the rites, offering a unique setting.