The Province of Trapani is a land where history, culture and faith are deeply intertwined. In every corner of the territory, from large urban centers to small villages, there is an intense spirituality that manifests itself through an extraordinary artistic-religious heritage of churches, shrines, convents and secular rites.

In addition to the architectural beauty of the places of worship, the province is characterized by a rich tradition of religious festivals and celebrations rooted in the distant past, blending devotion and folklore into fascinating events.

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The Rites of Holy Week

Among the most solemn expressions of Trapani’s religiosity, a prominent place belongs to the rites of Holy Week, which attract visitors and faithful from all over Sicily and beyond.

The Mysteries of Trapani.

The highlight of the celebrations is the Procession of the Mysteries of Trapani, one of the oldest and most evocative religious events in Italy.

• It takes place on Good Friday and lasts for 24 consecutive hours.
• The Mysteries, twenty sculptural groups made of wood and canvas, represent the Passion and Death of Christ and are carried in procession through the streets of the city.
• Each artisan class in the city curates a statuary group, creating an unbreakable link between faith and folk tradition.

O ther events of Holy Week

In addition to the Mysteries of Trapani, Holy Week is celebrated in several municipalities with rituals of great emotional and scenic impact:

• Marsala: Holy Thursday procession, with the transport of the simulacra of the Passion.
• Castelvetrano: The Sacred Representation of Dawn, a moment of intense emotion that celebrates the encounter between Our Lady and the Risen Christ.
• Buseto Palizzolo: The striking living Stations of the Cross, where the faithful, dressed in period clothing, re-enact the last moments of Christ.
• Erice: The Mysteries of Erice, a more intimate and spiritual version of the Trapani procession, which takes place in a medieval village with a mystical atmosphere, rich in ancient convents and churches.

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The Great Religious Celebrations of the Year.

In addition to Holy Week, the Province of Trapani is enlivened by numerous religious festivals that combine devotion and popular tradition, turning cities into veritable open-air theaters.

Major Celebrations

• Feast of Our Lady of Relief – Castellammare del Golfo
  August

  • The procession of the statue of Our Lady through the city streets and out to sea, with spectacular fireworks over the harbor.

• Our Lady of Miracles – Alcamo
  June

  • The town’s main event, with processions, religious celebrations and local folklore moments.

• Madonna of Custonaci
  Last Wednesday in August

  • One of the most heartfelt festivals in the province, with the procession of the simulacrum of Our Lady, venerated as Patroness of the province of Trapani.

• St. Joseph – Salemi
  March

  • Famous for the “Dinners of St. Joseph,” altars set with hand-decorated breads and traditional Sicilian dishes.

• San Vito – Mazara del Vallo
  June

  • The festival in honor of the city’s patron saint, with religious rites, performances and a historical procession.

• SS. Crucifix – Calatafimi
  Variable cadence

  • One of the most spectacular celebrations, with a grand procession and religious performances involving the entire community.

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Churches, Convents and Places of Worship

In addition to festivals, the Trapani area is home to wonderful houses of worship, guardians of art, history and spirituality. Some of the most important ones:

• Sanctuary of San Vito a Mare – Mazara del Vallo

  • A striking place of worship dedicated to the city’s patron saint.

• Shrine of Our Lady of Custonaci

  • Center of pilgrimage and faith, with a Marian icon of great historical value.

• Mother Church of Erice

  • One of the oldest in Sicily, with impressive Gothic architecture and a mystical atmosphere.

• Cathedral of San Lorenzo – Trapani

  • One of the most important religious buildings in the city, with valuable works of art.

• Convent of the Capuchins – Calatafimi Segesta

  • A place rich in history and spirituality, nestled in the hilly landscape of the province.