The Procession Christ Crucified

Good Friday

The Procession has always been organized by the antique by the Santa Croce della Foce Brotherhood, of which, whose headquarters are located in the church of the same name located just outside the medieval walls of Gubbio.

The origin of the Procession dates back to the penitent lay society of the XIII century.
By the middle of the 1200’s many cities, especially in the central-north area, various religious brotherhoods came to life.
There were three of these brotherhoods in Gubbio: The Brotherhood of the Crucifixion, that of St. Bernardino (called also the Brotherhood of Ponte Marmoreo) and the Brotherhood of Saint Mary of Mercy (also called the Whites).
The members of these societies were called disciplined, beaten, scourged (from the physical act of scourging oneself), or by the more popular term of “large bags”, a term which came to be from the large frocks that the those participating in the brotherhood would wear during the ceremonial occasions or processions.

The procession begins with men called “battistrangole” or drum beaters.
The drum is made of wood with which is alternately rotated to cause a sombre beat.
This rhythm is what breaks the silence of the stones of the town, adding another dimension to the procession.
These drum beaters are then followed by a hooded member of the Brotherhood carrying a skull, which represents the Golgotha, or the place of the crucifixion.
Other symbols of the Passion are then carried by other members.

Event

Uomini delle Battistrangole
S.T.A. - I.A.T Gubbio

The Procession moves slowly through the town accompanied by the antique lament “Miserere”.
Sung in Latin it expresses the profound desire for forgiveness and need of purification.
The author is unknown but it has survived through the centuries.
Two groups of singers alternate the verses while a wooden sculpture of the 16th century of the Crucified Christ is carried by those of the brotherhood clothed in white frocks and black hoods.

Large bonfires are lit along the way of the procession, which symbolizes purifications and a prayer asking God for the forgiveness of sins.
These fires, lit torches on the facades of the buildings and luminaries added a sacred touch to the event.
The fires are lit in various parts of the city and stay lit until the city is dark.

For information:
Servizio Turisto Associato – Via della Repubblica, 15 Gubbio Tel. 075.922.0693 – 075.922.0790 info@iat.gubbio.pg.it

Text revised from www.paesaggi.umbria2000.it

 

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