Palm Sunday

Living Passion

The Living Passion, a sacred representation of the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ, involves hundreds of young men and women dressed in period costumes. This event takes place on the afternoon of Holy Saturday, winding its way through the characteristic narrow streets of the historic centre.

The route culminates at Toppo San Giacomo, where the Crucifixion is re-enacted. The event, attended by a large crowd, is charged with intense emotion and atmosphere, offering a unique and moving spectacle.

-Date: 29 March 2026

-Time: 15:00

-Location: Church of the Madonna della Mediatrice, through the streets of the town

Good Friday

Procession of the Chains

On the morning of Good Friday, the evocative Procession of the Chains begins at the Church of San Basilio Magno (11th century), probably established by Bishop E.G. Cavalieri in 1702.

Five penitents, dressed in white robes and hoods, carry heavy crosses on their shoulders. Their arrival is announced by the sound of chains tied to their bare feet and the dull beat of the trocchiola, which breaks the silence of the penitential procession. Tradition requires that penitents participate for at least five consecutive years, in honour of the five wounds of Christ.

-Date: 3 April 2026

-Time: 10:00

-Location: Church of Sant'Anna

Procession of the Mysteries

On the evening of Good Friday, the solemn Procession of the Mysteries departs from the Cathedral Basilica, featuring five groups of modern statues representing:

1. The Capture.

2. The Crowning with Thorns.

3. The Flagellation.

4. The First Fall.

5. The Crucifixion (Calvary).

This is followed by the statue of the Deposed Christ, a refined papier-mâché work from the Neapolitan school, carried by the Congrega del Santissimo. Behind it is the 18th-century statue of Our Lady of Sorrows, the work of sculptor G. Colombo, carried on the shoulders of the congregation of the same name.

The long and sombre procession ends with the participation of the Chains, who wear purple robes and walk with their faces uncovered.

-Date: 3 April 2026

-Time: 8:00 p.m.

-Location: Cathedral

Easter Sunday

Procession of the Kiss

On the afternoon of Easter Sunday, the evocative Procession of the Kiss takes place, a tradition unique to Puglia. Two statues, one of the Madonna (attributed to Pietro Frasa) and the other of the Saviour, depart from two opposite churches: the first from the Church of San Domenico, the second from the Church of San Francesco.

The two statues head towards the square in front of the Cathedral Basilica, where the Kiss ritual takes place. After two symbolic approaches, on the third encounter, the statue of the Saviour bows at the feet of the Madonna, amid applause and festive marches performed by the town band, including one from Gioacchino Rossini's “Moses”.

This unique popular tradition bears similarities to the Easter rituals of Abruzzo, probably inherited from cultural exchanges due to transhumance.

-Date: 5 April 2025

-Time: 10:00

-Location: Church of San Domenico and Church of San Francesco / 12:00 the “kiss” in front of the Cathedral

Palm Sunday / 29 March 2026

• TROIA  / Living Passion / Church of Our Lady of the Mediator through the streets of the town / 3 p.m.

Good Friday / 3 April 2026

• TROIA  / Procession of the “Chains” / Church of St. Anne / 10 a.m.

• TROIA  / Procession of the Mysteries / Cathedral / 8:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday / 5 April 2026

• TROIA  / Procession of the Kiss / Church of San Domenico and Church of San Francesco / 10:00 a.m. / arrival at 12:00 p.m. in front of the Cathedral for the ‘kiss’

CONFRATERNITIES OF THE ANNUNZIATA AND SAN LEONARDO

Established by Bishop Stefano Grube (1474-1480), originally from Latvia and a member of the Teutonic Order, the confraternities of the Annunziata and San Leonardo were founded with the purpose of providing hospitality to pilgrims who, traveling along the Via Appia-Traiana on their way to the sanctuaries of Monte Sant’Angelo and dell’Incoronata, passed through Troia. Their activities had a social value: they also took care of accompanying the deceased to their burial and welcoming abandoned newborns. Even today, the Ruota dei “Projetti” can be seen on via Municipio. The children were raised and trained in a trade, while for the girls, a dowry was provided for marriage. Over time, the two confraternities dwindled in numbers, and only in 2004 was the ancient brotherhood of the Annunziata and San Leonardo reestablished. The confreres, dressed in a tunic and green mozzetta with a medallion, accompany the statue of the Crocifisso Miracoloso on Good Friday.

CONFRATERNITY OF THE STIGMATA OF SAINT FRANCIS AND OF THE MOST HOLY SORROWFUL VIRGIN

The confraternity of the Stimmate di San Francesco and SS. Addolorata was founded by Bishop Emilio Giacomo Cavalieri on April 9, 1699. Its purpose was to promote the worship of Saint Francis of Assisi and the Sorrowful Virgin, participate in the main processions, carry out works of piety, and provide funeral services and prayers for deceased confreres.The confraternity adopted a more flexible statute in 1915, and in 1923, the construction of its own Cemetery Chapel began. Throughout the past century, due to the assurance of an honorable burial, the number of members increased significantly. In the last decade, the confraternity has undergone a revival and has adopted a white habit, a red-canonical mozzetta trimmed in gold, and a medallion with the image of the Blessed Sorrowful Virgin and the Franciscan arms. The confraternity participates in the Holy Week processions, carrying the statue of the Madonna Addolorata.

ARCHCONFRATERNITY OF THE MOST HOLY SACRAMENT

The Arciconfraternita del SS. Sacramento was established by Bishop Giannozio Pandolfini (1484-1519) with the mission of keeping the worship of the Eucharist alive in the Cathedral of the city, overseeing the celebrations of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, the feast of Corpus Domini, and keeping the oil lamps of the Tabernacle on the altar lit. The confreres were not to exceed twenty members and had to belong to the upper social class. From the very beginning, the confraternity obtained from Pope Leo X the Indulgences of the Most Holy Sacrament, granted to the homonymous confraternity residing at San Lorenzo in Damaso in Rome. On April 22, 1550, it received the title of Archconfraternity, granted by Pope Julius III. The confraternity was granted a chapel in the old sacristy of the Cathedral, and a statute was drawn up to regulate its structure, the management of donations for its decoration, the burial of confreres and consorors, and also that of the canons.

During Holy Week, the gastronomic tradition of Troia shines in all its splendor through dishes passed down from generation to generation. The Lenten period is characterized by "ciambotta", a spring vegetable soup, while Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are dedicated to dishes with cod and anchovies, accompanied by the traditional "cime di rape". At Easter, roasted lamb with potatoes, prepared according to an ancient local recipe, takes center stage. Among the typical desserts, the "passionata", a ricotta-based sweet, stands out.