Easter in Spello

Easter or Pasquale in Italy is a very religious affair, well at least it was in Umbria.  In Spello, a few days before Good Friday there were pictures depicting the 14 stations of the cross put out around town.  The kids liked the story of the Stations of the Cross and were fascinated by the different stages that were depicted on the day Jesus was crucified.  They especially loved running around Spello trying to find the different pictures for each station of the Cross. 

On Good Friday night there was a haunting and sombre parade through the streets of Spello with the priest making blessings at each station of the cross.  He was accompanied by the town people, all repeating the blessings after him.

The haunting Good Friday procession walking up the main street of Spello

 

One of the stations was in the courtyard just behind our house and the kids loved that everybody was there gathered in 'our' courtyard! 

The blessing in 'our' courtyard

Then on Sunday, there is a running of the Christ where a group of men carry a life sized wooden carving of Jesus and they run from the church at the bottom of Spello to the church at the top.  The priest then leads them into the church where there is a blessing which is then followed by a live orchestral band playing.

Easter Sunday blessing after the Running of the Christ. The Christ statute had just been carried up the hill.

Finally on Easter Monday night there is another procession with the cross.  These pictures were taken from our kitchen window as we were not aware it was on until we heard the procession coming up our street!


Easter Monday procession