The path of the Good Friday Procession of Chieti

Defined by Gabriele d’Annunzio as a “fountain of tears” and immortalized in a splendid painting by Francesco Paolo Michetti, the procession of the Dead Christ of Chieti continues today to follow an ancient ritual path (starting from the Cathedral Square and proceeds twice along the elegant paved corso Marrucino) and marked with a protective cross the urban space. The procession of Chieti is an example of the application of the dictates of the Counter-Reformation concerning extra-liturgical rites, which is evident in the crystallization of the scenes of the Passion in the statuary groups and the limitation of the leadership of the faithful. Despite everything, however, it retains the charm of the ancient liturgical dramas and it reserves a place of honour for the commotion of the faithful. The antiquity of the Good Friday procession and the secular history of the Archconfraternity of the Sacro Monte dei Morti have attracted the attention of UNESCO, considering that it is an example of Intangible Heritage of Humanity.