Holy Week — Procession of the Mysteries (Varette) and Easter Procession

The Holy Week rituals in Lipari

In the heart of the Aeolian archipelago, the town of Lipari (Metropolitan City of Messina) preserves one of the most intense religious traditions in Sicily: Holy Week, with its solemn Good Friday and Easter Sunday rites. It is an event that attracts numerous worshippers and tourists every year, drawn by the pathos of the processions and the mystical atmosphere that envelops the island's historic center.

The Good Friday Procession of the Mysteries

The most anticipated moment is the Procession of the Mysteries, also known as the procession of the "varette". These are ancient statues depicting the key moments of the Passion of Christ: works made of painted papier-mâché and plaster, some dating back to the 18th century, carried on shoulders by members of local confraternities in their traditional robes. Along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the procession moves slowly, accompanied by the funeral marches of the brass band and the characteristic sound of the troccole, wooden clappers that mark the solemn rhythm of the procession.

Easter Sunday and the Meeting at Marina Corta

The atmosphere changes dramatically on Easter Sunday. At Marina Corta, the historic harbor overlooking the sea, the traditional Meeting between the Risen Christ and the Madonna takes place: a moment of pure emotion, cheered by the crowd, which marks the victory of life over death. The joy of Easter replaces the solemnity of Good Friday, and the entire Lipari community participates in the climax of the festival.

A tradition of faith and community

The celebrations are organized by the Confraternity of Maria SS. Addolorata of Lipari, with the participation of the clergy, the municipal administration, the varette bearers, male and female confraternities, pious unions, and the island's volunteer associations. The Holy Week of Lipari remains a deeply rooted expression of Aeolian popular culture, capable of blending religious devotion, island identity, and the warm welcome of the many visitors who choose the Aeolian Islands to experience Easter.