Rito Dei Battienti (53 images)

A yearly Easter ritual dating back to the mid-13th century the Processione della Addolorata (procession of the Golden Madonna) and Rito dei Battienti (rite of the beaters) includes devote Catholics that flagellant themselves in the streets and jog the route of the Easter procession, enduring the pain and suffering of religious sacrifice in the name of spiritual cleansing.