Arbëreshë Easter Rites and Celebrations

A Passover with Ancient Roots

In Campomarino, in the province of Campobasso, Easter celebrations have a special flavor. The town is one of the four Arbëreshë centers in Molise, and its community – descendants of the Albanians who arrived here in the 15th century after the Turkish advance – has preserved elements of the Byzantine rite over time, a legacy of its history.

Costumes, Gold, and Identity

During the celebrations, the women of the community wear the traditional Arbëreshë costumes: richly embroidered gold dresses and jewelry, expressions of an ancient and proud identity. The Church of Santa Maria a Mare, a Romanesque jewel of the old town with its 12th-century crypt housing a 15th-century fresco, has historically hosted the Byzantine rite and remains the spiritual heart of these celebrations.

The Community Gathering

Easter in Campomarino is a moment of strong community cohesion: solemn masses, processions, and the gathering of the entire community renew the bond with their roots every year. A recurring event that allows visitors to discover one of the most fascinating linguistic and cultural minorities in Southern Italy, where the Arbëreshë language and traditions have survived for over five centuries.