Madonna dell’Arco

Madonna dell’Arco is a devotional ritual that has taken place since the fifteenth century and remains a central pillar for many communities in and around Naples.

Preparation begins months before Easter and culminates on Easter Monday at the sanctuary in Sant’Anastasia. Groups walk barefoot from surrounding areas, often during the night, taking between three and six hours to reach the church. The journey involves walking, dancing, and carrying religious banners, and is physically demanding long before arrival.

When pilgrims enter the church, many are already exhausted. Inside, the procession intensifies. People remember loved ones who have passed away, address their prayers to Mary, and at times lose control, crying, shouting, fainting, or collapsing. The emotional charge is overwhelming.

The church also becomes a space where different associations assert presence and authority. Power relations emerge openly, and the boundary between devotion, local hierarchy, and organised crime is often fragile. Observing these dynamics reveals how belief, control, and identity intersect within the ritual.