La Processione del Cristo Morto

Flew from Manchester to Naples this morning following a long drive last night from Edinburgh. After landing we caught the bus to Sorrento and checked into our hotel, in the town centre. It was -2C last night leaving Edinburgh and +18C when we landed in Naples at 10:10am local time.

Given the temperature it is clear that my packing is somewhat unsuitable. I don't think I will be needing the fleece, jumpers and woolly hat.

In Sorrento at Easter there are a number of parades of various sorts all connected with the Easter story and as today is Good Friday there was La Processione del Cristo Morto, which started after dark at around 8:30pm.

The parade is very long, takes about 30 minutes to pass and consists of hundreds of men dressed in black robes, black hoods and black gloves. Many of them carry items associated with the Christian story of Easter and lots of them carry lamps or crosses. In amongst the parade there are statues and banners being carried as well.

This picture is of the main part of the parade which is of course a representation of Christ being carried away after having been taken down from the cross.

It was a fascinating site with thousands of people cramming the narrow streets of Sorrento to watch the parade as it went by. All the little shops put out their lights and most of the street lights are off as well. People who live in the flats on the streets that the parade goes along light candles on their balconies.

Apart from a brass band at the front of the parade, which plays sombre music some of the time and some very occasional chanting by some of the participants at certain points, the parade moves along in silence with the crowd standing watching in silence as well.