Ceriana Holy Week — Confraternities' Rites

The Village of the Confraternities

Ceriana, perched in the hinterland of Sanremo in the province of Imperia, is considered a place of excellence for the preservation of sacred chant and confraternal rites in Western Liguria. The protagonists of Holy Week are the four historic Confraternities of the town — the Neri (Blacks), the Verdi (Greens), the Rossi (Reds), and the Azzurri (Blues) — who have guarded melodies, gestures, and traditions passed down through generations for centuries.

A Cappella Chants and Bark Horns

The rites combine religious devotion and sacred music. Among the most characteristic elements are the a cappella chants — the Pange Lingua, the Miserere, the Laudi — performed by the confreres, and the bark horns, ancient instruments made from tree bark that accompany solemn moments with their archaic sound. The tradition dates back to the period between the 14th and 16th centuries.

A Living Tradition

On Maundy Thursday, the Lord's Supper opens the rites, while on Good Friday, the four Confraternities parade in a procession with torches, intoning penitential chants. Ceriana's Holy Week is an intangible heritage that attracts scholars, faithful, and curious visitors, offering an authentic glimpse into the religious and cultural identity of the Imperia hinterland.