
Category Archives: Italia

Working in the Reportage “I VATTIENTI” : The rite of blood in Calabria
The rite of Vattienti, people to fulfill a vow flagellate themselves with blood, symbolically die and give their lives to the deity.
This practice remained in existence in Verbicaro and Nocera Terinese (Calabria, Italy)
In Verbicaro, inland Tyrrhenian Cosentino, the bloody rite is still practiced, but as extravagant devotion, as the flagellants are sprinkled full of blood.
In the rite of Nocera Terinese (Catanzaro) blend moments of popular piety and sometimes intent political culture and tourism.
The technique of flagellation, ritual atonement and dramatic, in some respects its roots in pre-Christian religions and other companies in the rituals of mystical-ascetic of the Middle Ages.
Working in the Reportage “I VATTIENTI” : The rite of blood in Calabria
The rite of Vattienti, people to fulfill a vow flagellate themselves with blood, symbolically die and give their lives to the deity.
This practice remained in existence in Verbicaro and Nocera Terinese (Calabria, Italy)
In Verbicaro, inland Tyrrhenian Cosentino, the bloody rite is still practiced, but as extravagant devotion, as the flagellants are sprinkled full of blood.
In the rite of Nocera Terinese (Catanzaro) blend moments of popular piety and sometimes intent political culture and tourism.
The technique of flagellation, ritual atonement and dramatic, in some respects its roots in pre-Christian religions and other companies in the rituals of mystical-ascetic of the Middle Ages.
Settimana Santa a Castelsardo (Sardinia)
Holy Week in Castelsardo is one of the most enthralling in Sardinia. The religious ceremonies are characterised by ancient symbolism passed down through the centuries by the Santa Croce Confraternity.
The most moving ritual is that of the Mysteries which, unlike in the rest of Sardinia, takes place onEaster Monday (Lunisanti). Before dawn members of the confraternity meet in the Santa Maria Church. From here a long procession unfolds which lasts the whole day and involves the nearby towns and villages. The most evocative moment is the night-time procession which takes place in torch-light. A human skull is carried on a tray in procession accompanied by the religious chanting of the members of the confraternity.