Via Crucis at the Anfiteatro Campano

A Via Crucis in the arena of the martyrs

In the heart of Lent, the Anfiteatro Campano in Santa Maria Capua Vetere, located in the province of Caserta, Campania, ceases to be merely an archaeological site for an evening and becomes a vast open-air space for prayer. The Via Crucis at the Anfiteatro Campano is one of the most attended religious events in the Terra di Lavoro region: by the light of hundreds of candles, thousands of people walk through the Stations of the Passion of Christ in the very arena where, according to tradition, the city's first Christian martyrs were executed.

Two events, one tradition

Under the same name, two distinct celebrations coexist, both hosted by the Roman amphitheatre:

• The Via Crucis of the Forania Sammaritana, linked to Good Friday: this re-enactment of the Passion of Jesus Christ brings together the faithful from the city's eleven parishes alongside representatives of associations, movements, and religious communities, in the presence of the Archbishop of Capua. The stations are animated by participants inside the arena, illuminated by torches.
• The Youth Via Crucis of the dioceses of Capua and Caserta, promoted by the Youth Pastoral teams: established in 2014 in Caserta, it has been held at the Anfiteatro Campano for several years, gathering thousands of young people from parishes and ecclesial movements across both territories.

The result is a dual occasion for reflection that, between the end of March and April, marks the city's spiritual calendar.

The most recent edition

The 2026 Youth Via Crucis was held on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 7:00 PM at the Anfiteatro Campano, presided over by Monsignor Pietro Lagnese, Bishop of Caserta and Archbishop of Capua, who led this shared moment for the two diocesan communities for the third consecutive year. As in previous editions, priests, religious, members of associations and ecclesial groups, and faithful from various parishes took part in the celebration, alongside young people who offered reflections, bringing the journey to Calvary into a contemporary context.

How the celebration unfolds

The structure follows the classic Stations of the Cross, but the setting makes the experience unlike any other city procession:

• Parish groups gather outside the amphitheatre in the late afternoon;
• Entry into the arena and lighting of candles, which trace the perimeter of the ancient monument in the darkness;
• Reading, meditation, prayer, and singing for each station, animated in turn by the participating groups;
• Concluding reflection and blessing by the Bishop.

This is not a performance but a celebration: attendees are invited to participate in silence and with respect, without applause or intrusive filming.

The Anfiteatro Campano, a symbolic site

The Anfiteatro Campano is one of the largest preserved Roman amphitheatres in Italy, earning it the nickname of the little Colosseum. Linked to the memory of gladiatorial games in ancient Capua, it is now a state-run cultural site that can be visited alongside the nearby Archaeological Museum of Ancient Capua and the Mithraeum. The fact that this space, born for combat and suffering, hosts the memory of the Passion once a year is one of the reasons why the Sammaritan Via Crucis leaves such a deep impression on first-time visitors.

Santa Maria Capua Vetere and the Terra di Lavoro

Built on the site of ancient Capua, Santa Maria Capua Vetere is one of the most important cities in the province of Caserta and preserves a long Christian tradition: Saint Priscus, the first bishop of the Capuan Church, is venerated here. The Holy Week celebrations, with parish processions and the Via Crucis in the amphitheatre, remain one of the moments when the community's identity is most powerfully displayed. For those visiting Campania off-season, attending this Via Crucis is an authentic way to connect with the local popular religiosity.