The main evocative ritual of Holy Week is the evening Good Friday procession, known as La Processione dei Misteri (“The Procession of the Mysteries”). All the confraternities, each distinguished by differently colored robes, walk through the historic center and the Murattiano district in a solemn funeral-like cortege commemorating the death of Jesus. The 19th-century statues of the “Mysteries,” which begin at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, represent the Passion of Christ: Jesus praying in the garden, Jesus at the column, Jesus scourged, Jesus carrying the cross, Jesus crucified, Jesus taken down from the cross, and finally the Sorrowful Virgin in her black garments.

A distinctive feature is the sound of the trènnele—wood and iron instruments that mimic the sound of nails on the cross—carried by the confreres, who also wear a crown of thorns. This is a deeply emotional event, strongly felt by the people of Monopoli, who attend in large numbers.

The celebrations of Jesus’ resurrection begin on the night of Holy Saturday. According to tradition, groups of friends still go from house to house throughout the countryside singing and playing music all night to announce Easter. This tradition is called Candè all’ove, which means “singing to receive eggs,” because eggs—symbols of Easter and once essential for preparing the holiday meal—are collected from every country house. It is a lively and joyful occasion, with young and old moving together, singing and dancing to folk songs, competing to see who can collect the most eggs.