Santi Sepolcri of Alliste

The tradition of the Santi Sepolcri in Alliste

In the heart of lower Salento, in Alliste (Province of Lecce, Puglia), the evening of Maundy Thursday marks one of the most intense moments of the entire Holy Week. It is the evening of the Santi Sepolcri, when the community renews the ancient rite of visiting the altars of repose, popularly known as "sepolcri" (sepulchres). This is not a representation of Christ's tomb, but rather the altars where the Eucharist is kept after the Mass of the Lord's Supper, awaiting the liturgy of Good Friday.

The Maundy Thursday rite

At the end of the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, which commemorates the Last Supper and the washing of the feet, the Blessed Sacrament is solemnly transferred and placed on the altar of repose. From that moment on, the churches of Alliste remain open for adoration: following an ancient custom, the faithful walk to visit the sepulchres, pausing in prayer before several altars. Popular tradition suggests visiting at least seven, representing the sorrows of the Virgin Mary, or five, representing the wounds of Christ.

The altars of repose and the wheat plates

What makes these sepulchres so evocative is their arrangement: the altars are adorned with flowers, drapes, candles, and soft lighting that create an atmosphere of deep reflection. An essential element of the Salento tradition is the plates of wheat sprouted in the dark, with their pale, delicate shoots, symbolizing rebirth and hope. Each church tends to its own decoration with dedication, involving confraternities, volunteers, and local families.

A heritage of Salento

The visit to the sepulchres is deeply rooted in the religious culture of Puglia and Salento, where Holy Week is experienced as a profound time of rites, processions, and shared devotion. In Alliste, this event also holds a communal value: it is an occasion for the town to come together, walk through the streets of the center, and rediscover a heritage of faith and identity passed down from generation to generation.

Alliste and its churches

The itinerary of the sepulchres winds through the places of worship in the Municipality of Alliste, starting from the parish church of San Quintino, dedicated to the town's patron saint. This Baroque building has been the heart of the town's religious life since the 15th century. It is joined by other historic churches, such as the Church of San Giuseppe and the Church of the Madonna dell'Alto, which bear witness to the long devotional history of the area, part of the Diocese of Nardò-Gallipoli. A simple yet intense walking route to experience the soul of Holy Week in Salento up close.