Nunzio I., Autore presso DroneSET

One of the most intense and evocative events of Holy Week in Sicily.

Origins and History of the Procession of the Mysteries

The Processione dei Misteri di Trapani represents one of the most intense and evocative events of Holy Week in Sicily. Every year, on Good Friday, the city of Trapani transforms into a stage of faith, history, and folklore, attracting thousands of visitors.

This ancient tradition has its roots dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, when 18 sculptural groups and two lifelike sculptures made of wood, canvas, and glue were created by the local artisan workshops of Trapani. Of Spanish origin, the procession was initially organized by the Confraternity of the Most Precious Blood and subsequently by the Confraternity of St. Michael the Archangel.

Over time, the organization was entrusted to the craft guilds, the “maestranze” (artisan corporations), until the establishment of the Unione Maestranze in 1974, which continues to oversee every detail of the event to this day.

The Procession: 24 Hours of Emotion

At 2:00 PM on Good Friday, the Sacred Groups emerge from the Church of Purgatory, carried on the shoulders of the “Massari” (traditional bearers) and volunteers. Funeral marches accompany the beginning of a long journey that unfolds over approximately 24 hours without interruption.

During the night, the procession travels through the most evocative streets of the historic center: the slow rhythm of the “annacate” (characteristic swaying motion), the sound of the “ciaccole” (percussion instruments) and drums create a unique and deeply moving atmosphere.

At dawn, the groups recompose and resume their journey toward the final stretch of the route.

The Most Emotional Moment: The Return

On Saturday morning, Piazza Purgatorio fills with the faithful and visitors to witness one of the most intense moments: the return of the Mysteries. The groups return one by one to the church amid applause, tears, and prayers.

The final entry of the Addolorata (Lady of Sorrows) marks the conclusion of the procession, with the last “annacate” and the sound of the “ciaccole.” The church door closes and the city prepares for Easter, while the organizing committee is already at work for the following year’s edition.

Holy Week in Trapani: Beyond the Mysteries

The tradition extends beyond Good Friday. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Processions of Pietà take place, with ancient paintings carried on the shoulders through the streets of the center, accompanied by funeral marches.

These rituals represent a perfect balance between history, faith, and popular culture, deeply tied to the city’s identity.

Procession of the Mysteries of Trapani 2026 Schedule

Good Friday – April 3, 2026

2:00 PM: Departure from the Church of the Jesuit College
Route:
- Corso Vittorio Emanuele
- Via dei Tintori
- Via Nunzio Nasi
- Via Custonaci
- Via Corallai
- Via Libertà
- Via Torrearsa
- Via Teatro
Main Passages:
- Piazza Scarlatti
- Piazza Sant’Agostino
- Via Argentieria
- Piazza Notai
Arrival: Piazza Vittorio Emanuele (approximately 8:00 PM)

Saturday – April 4, 2026

1:00 AM: Departure from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele
Nighttime Route:
- Viale Regina Margherita
- Via Bastioni
- Via Mercè
- Corso Italia
- Piazza Saturno
5:30 AM: Regrouping at Largo delle Ninfe
Return: Church of the Jesuit College (approximately 7:45 AM)

A Living Heritage of Sicilian Culture

The Procession of the Mysteries is not merely a religious event, but a cultural heritage that renews itself every year through the dedication of those who preserve it. The Sacred Groups, preserved year-round in the Church of Purgatory, continue to tell a story that unites past and present.

Further information is available on the official page of the Unione Maestranze.

At Dronitaly 2026, an Italian project was unveiled that could radically change the way wildfires are tackled. In an interview conducted by Stefano Orsi for Dronezine magazine, inventor Italo Vannelli explained how an innovative aerial system designed for firefighting works.

The project is based on a patent called TTH – TwinTail Helicopter, a completely new aeronautical architecture designed to increase efficiency, payload capacity, and construction simplicity.

A new approach to firefighting drones

The idea stems from a very clear premise: current drones, powered exclusively by batteries, have significant limitations when it comes to payload and endurance.

To address this issue, the project proposes a different solution:
replacing batteries with an internal combustion generator.

The demonstrator presented at Dronitaly uses:

a 35 cc two-stroke engine
water cooling
approximately 2 kW of power

This system generates electrical energy to power the aircraft and overcomes one of the main limitations of traditional drones.

The ultimate goal is ambitious: to build an aircraft capable of carrying a 1,000-liter Bambi Bucket for wildfire suppression.

The innovative TwinTail Helicopter architecture

The core of the patent lies in the helicopter’s architecture.

Traditional helicopters use a main rotor and a tail rotor to counteract the torque generated by the spinning blades. This results in a loss of efficiency: about 30% of the power is used just to keep the aircraft stable.

The TTH system, instead, uses:

two counter-rotating main rotors (coaxial)
two rear motors for attitude control

Thanks to the opposite rotation of the rotors, torque is naturally canceled out, eliminating the need for a tail rotor.

Flight control is achieved through the two rear motors:

same thrust direction → pitch control (forward/backward)
opposite thrust → roll control (left/right)
rotor speed difference → yaw control

This approach enables simpler mechanics and potentially greater efficiency compared to traditional helicopters.

A project born from independent innovation

One of the most interesting aspects of the project is its origin.

It is not a large industrial program, but the work of a small multidisciplinary team coordinated by Vannelli, who works professionally as an accountant but also has a background as an aeronautical construction technician.

The project was developed thanks to collaboration with:

a software engineer specialized in DIY drone building
a craftsman experienced in fixed-wing and helicopter modeling

The demonstrator presented at Dronitaly is therefore the first concrete proof of the aeronautical concept.

The goal: fighting wildfires

The project was developed within the association founded by Vannelli, No Fire Zone, with the aim of creating new technologies to combat wildfires.

To encourage industrial development, the inventor stated that the cost of using the patent will be purely symbolic, provided it is used to build operational firefighting vehicles.

During the event, the team issued a call to manufacturers of:

ultralight helicopters
autogyros
professional drones

interested in developing the project at full scale.

A possible future for aerial firefighting

If the project evolves into operational production, it could open new possibilities in the field of automated aerial firefighting.

An autonomous or remotely operated aircraft capable of carrying large amounts of water could:

reduce risks for pilots
lower operating costs
increase response speed to wildfires

The presentation of the TTH patent at Dronitaly marks a first step toward a new generation of firefighting aircraft based on advanced UAV technologies.

For the drone and Italian light aviation sector, this is undoubtedly a project worth following closely.