Alexandra Dimodica on Religious Cultural Diversity in Italy
April 27, 2009
After spending the past four months in Italy, I have seen firsthand the countless ways in which Italy exists today as a nation of many diverse cultures. This can be said about many countries, but in Italy these incredible divides from region to region are tangible and are exposed specifically when one analyzes the correlation between religion, culture, and politics in various Italian cities. Living in central Italy, I have easy access to the two geographical and cultural extremes: north and south. To see the stark societal differences that live under the umbrella of Italy, it's best to see these varying cultures up close.
It is only natural that these differences in society would exist due to the vast geographical disparities, but it is still somewhat shocking how large the differences in religion, culture, and politics are within Italy's borders. After the somewhat late unification of Italy, an event which occurred in 1861, a long process of attempted political unification began. This process still continues today as Italy is notoriously known for its tendencies towards regional factionalism. As with many attempts at assimilation, the process of creating one Italian culture may never be complete due to the vastly different political and historical pasts of the different areas.
In the north of Italy, life is fairly secular. The main piazzas still exist hosting the quintessential Duomo, and Catholicism is notably the religion of choice. The amount of religious symbolism increases exponentially as one travels south.
In the south, Catholic tradition is firmly ingrained in the culturale quotidiana, the everyday culture. While walking through the streets of Catania with a native Sicilian, I was informed that the ubiquitous churches I passed each had a specific social following. The one on my left with the steep staircase was originally for fisherman, while the next church, a mere stone's throw away, was for bakers, and finally the church on the street parallel with the magnificent steeple was inhabited by lawyers and professionals. It is clear that these houses of worship were symbols of social class and community, as well as of faith. Today, although the number of weekly followers may have decreased, the significance of this traditionally stratified society remains within the aged stones of these holy houses.
This tradition and the significance of Catholicism can be seen each day in Sicily. Weekly trips to the cemetery show friends and neighbors greeting one another as they walk through the aisles of their families pasts. Placing fresh flowers in the small white urns, praying for family members, and preserving the history of their lineage are incredibly central parts of this culture's identity. When a family member passes away, a large sign commemorating and announcing this event is placed outside the door of each family member's home for all to see the deep religious and cultural significance of this death.
If some of the more subtle religious nuances in Sicilian society were to go unnoticed, the omnipresent Catholic symbolism certainly would stand out. Countless crucifixes and depictions of Mary and Jesus hang in the most expected and unexpected locations. Churches and community centers host these displays, while simultaneously, more social haunts such as bars and shops also leave their religious ties exposed. In private homes the symbolism is often even less subtle, and while I was visiting the southern Sicily, I spotted an enormous painting of the crucifixion scene hung casually amongst landscapes above someone's bed.
Unlike some of the promotions of religion which I have seen in more touristic Italian destinations in northern and central Italy, the presence of Catholicism in Sicily does not need to be promoted by postcards. Each day, it is sustained by its citizens. For Italy, a country with an economy strongly based upon tourism, the accentuation of art and religion is central to its survival, and at times, this promotion outweighs the substance of the actual devotion to religion in the city. This is certainly not the case in cities such as Catania and the small surrounding towns in southern Sicily. Here, religion is seen within the culture and community instead of the tourism catalog. As the infrastructure in the south continues to grow and times change, it will be interesting to see how this religious presence evolves. For now, however, the importance of Catholicism in Sicily cannot be denied, and to understand it people must merely open their eyes.
In the north of Italy, life is fairly secular. The main piazzas still exist hosting the quintessential Duomo, and Catholicism is notably the religion of choice. The amount of religious symbolism increases exponentially as one travels south.
In the south, Catholic tradition is firmly ingrained in the culturale quotidiana, the everyday culture. While walking through the streets of Catania with a native Sicilian, I was informed that the ubiquitous churches I passed each had a specific social following. The one on my left with the steep staircase was originally for fisherman, while the next church, a mere stone's throw away, was for bakers, and finally the church on the street parallel with the magnificent steeple was inhabited by lawyers and professionals. It is clear that these houses of worship were symbols of social class and community, as well as of faith. Today, although the number of weekly followers may have decreased, the significance of this traditionally stratified society remains within the aged stones of these holy houses.
This tradition and the significance of Catholicism can be seen each day in Sicily. Weekly trips to the cemetery show friends and neighbors greeting one another as they walk through the aisles of their families pasts. Placing fresh flowers in the small white urns, praying for family members, and preserving the history of their lineage are incredibly central parts of this culture's identity. When a family member passes away, a large sign commemorating and announcing this event is placed outside the door of each family member's home for all to see the deep religious and cultural significance of this death.
If some of the more subtle religious nuances in Sicilian society were to go unnoticed, the omnipresent Catholic symbolism certainly would stand out. Countless crucifixes and depictions of Mary and Jesus hang in the most expected and unexpected locations. Churches and community centers host these displays, while simultaneously, more social haunts such as bars and shops also leave their religious ties exposed. In private homes the symbolism is often even less subtle, and while I was visiting the southern Sicily, I spotted an enormous painting of the crucifixion scene hung casually amongst landscapes above someone's bed.
Unlike some of the promotions of religion which I have seen in more touristic Italian destinations in northern and central Italy, the presence of Catholicism in Sicily does not need to be promoted by postcards. Each day, it is sustained by its citizens. For Italy, a country with an economy strongly based upon tourism, the accentuation of art and religion is central to its survival, and at times, this promotion outweighs the substance of the actual devotion to religion in the city. This is certainly not the case in cities such as Catania and the small surrounding towns in southern Sicily. Here, religion is seen within the culture and community instead of the tourism catalog. As the infrastructure in the south continues to grow and times change, it will be interesting to see how this religious presence evolves. For now, however, the importance of Catholicism in Sicily cannot be denied, and to understand it people must merely open their eyes.
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