A moving tradition that brings two communities together
Every year on Good Friday, the town of Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, Sicily, becomes the stage for one of its most powerful and emotionally charged traditions: the Procession of the Varette. This event is not only a religious celebration but also a deeply rooted cultural expression of community, memory, and devotion.
A Procession in Two Acts
The procession is divided into two parts, each starting from different areas of the town and following a distinct route:
Varette procession
- The Pozzo di Gotto procession begins at the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, featuring the first 14 varette – the oldest and most traditional wooden floats.
- The Barcellona procession departs from the Church of San Giovanni and carries the remaining 12 varette, crafted in more recent times.
Each varetta is a detailed wooden cart bearing a life-sized religious statue that represents one episode from the Passion of Christ. The scenes are often complete with symbolic backgrounds and emotional detail, transforming the city streets into a living tableau of faith.
Living History Through Costumes and Song
As the floats wind through the streets, they are accompanied by locals dressed in traditional costumes representing characters from the Passion, including Roman soldiers and other figures from the biblical narrative.
The atmosphere is made even more moving by the sound of the Visilla — an ancient religious chant sung in solemn unison by groups of men, echoing through the town and touching the hearts of all who listen.
A Powerful Meeting Point on the Longano Bridge
The most symbolic and emotional moment of the evening occurs on the bridge over the Longano River (Via San Giovanni Bosco). Here, the two separate processions come face to face and join into one unified procession, representing the spiritual reunion and shared identity of the two sides of Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto.
Follow the Itinerary
