I Battenti di Verbicaro

The rite of the "Battenti di Verbicaro" (Vattienti Verbicaro) is certainly among the most "bloody" Easter rituals in Calabria. It is not the only one of this kind, since the tradition of the so-called "vattienti" in Calabria is very old and also concerns the town of Nocera Terinese (CZ).

The Battenti di Verbicaro, in the province of Cosenza, represent the flagellants, i.e., those who, out of vow and devotion, inflict upon themselves the same punishments suffered by Christ during the Stations of the Cross. In the case of the Vattienti di Verbicaro, the figures follow the procession with bare legs, beating themselves with pieces of glass until they bleed.

The procession of the Battenti di Verbicaro takes place on Holy Thursday.