During the Easter period the historic centre of Mendrisio It changes face and transforms into a veritable open-air museum. The streets come alive with soft lighting and sacred images, while large "Trasparenti" paintings appear along the facades of buildings, translucent paintings created with an ancient and unique technique that is one of the most distinctive elements of the Holy Week processions.
This is a tradition that has its roots over four centuries ago and which in 2019 obtained international recognition with its inclusion in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.UNESCOA seal that not only certifies the historical and artistic value of the event, but also underscores its importance as a living practice, passed down from generation to generation.
The Transparents: art and technique at the service of tradition
The visual heart of the Holy Week processions are the Trasparenti: large canvases painted with special colors that, when illuminated from within, create a striking, scenic effect. Their creation requires specific skills and a technical expertise that has been preserved over time thanks to the dedication of local artists and artisans.
These are not just decorative displays, but works that recount episodes of the Passion and accompany the procession, helping to create an atmosphere of collective reflection and participation.
Guided tours and the role of professional guides
As Easter approaches, public interest in the Holy Week processions and their history grows. To answer this question, theRegional tourism organization offers a calendar of guided tours in collaboration with Association of Guides of Italian Switzerland, an organization that has been promoting the training and professionalism of guides active in the area for years.
Le guides trained by SI GUIDES They are prepared to guide visitors not only through the exhibition of the Trasparenti, but also to understand the historical, religious, and cultural context that has allowed the tradition to endure through the centuries. The goal is to offer an in-depth understanding of an event that unites faith, local identity, and artistic heritage.
Holy Week in Mendrisio: a tradition that continues all year round
While the Holy Week processions represent the culmination of the event, the work of protection and enhancement continues throughout the year. The transmission of know-how, painting techniques, and the symbolic values associated with the event is considered essential to ensuring the continuity of an internationally recognized intangible heritage.
In this sense, the training of new guides and the organization of in-depth courses are not incidental initiatives, but an integral part of a strategy aimed at preserving the authenticity of the event, while promoting informed enjoyment.
Reservations and accessibility
Among the new features introduced this year is the ability to book guided tours directly online, through the Mendrisiotto Turismo marketplace. This allows participants to register independently and plan their experience more easily.
Reservations are required, and places are limited, confirming the growing interest surrounding the Holy Week Processions. This is a further step toward more efficient and accessible management of an event that continues to draw visitors from Ticino and beyond.
In a context where cultural tourism is increasingly focused on authenticity and the quality of the experience, the Holy Week Processions in Mendrisio confirm their position as an event capable of combining tradition and innovation, memory and contemporaneity, while maintaining their symbolic and identifying value intact.
Lugano, Locarno, and Mendrisio: three cities, one cultural vision for 2030
