Good Friday Procession

Good Friday in Tagliacozzo

In the heart of the Marsica region, in the province of L'Aquila, the town of Tagliacozzo preserves one of the most deeply felt traditions of the Abruzzo Holy Week. Every Good Friday, the medieval historic center gathers around the rites of the Passion, which culminate in the evocative Procession of the Dead Christ and the Sorrowful Virgin, organized by the Confraternita della Misericordia.

Two processions, one single story of the Passion

Good Friday in Tagliacozzo is divided into two distinct processional moments. In the afternoon, in the upper part of the town, the Via Crucis takes place, linked to the 18th-century Chiesa del Calvario, retracing the stations of the Passion through the oldest area of the village. At dusk, the most anticipated rite begins: from the Chiesa della Misericordia, overlooking the scenic Piazza dell'Obelisco, the procession of the Dead Christ emerges.

The statues and the rite of the hooded brothers

The protagonists of the evening procession are the 18th-century statues of the Dead Christ and the Sorrowful Madonna, carried on shoulders through the alleys of the historic center. The Confraternita della Misericordia, with its members, leads the procession according to an ancient rite, accompanied by civil and military authorities, other brotherhoods, and local associations. The Holy Week celebrations begin as early as Maundy Thursday with the traditional visit to the Sepulchres set up in the city's churches.

Lights, silence, and the singing of the Miserere

What makes the Tagliacozzo procession unique is the atmosphere. The soft lights, the slow pace of the procession, the torches illuminating the square and the alleys create a setting of strong emotional impact. The sound of the marching band and the poignant singing of the Miserere accompany the statues along the entire route, transforming the religious rite into a moment of profound popular participation.

A tradition of the Marsica region

The Good Friday Procession of Tagliacozzo is part of a tradition widespread throughout the Marsica and Abruzzo, where the rite of the Dead Christ represents one of the most defining moments of the year. In Tagliacozzo, the bond between the village, its historic churches, and the brotherhoods keeps alive a celebration that unites faith, memory, and a sense of community, attracting residents and visitors every year.