Procession of the Black Christ
Religious festival in Bastia, Haute-Corse
About Procession of the Black Christ
Procession of the Black Christ in Bastia
Procession of the Black Christ is a must-attend event in the cultural life of Bastia and the Haute-Corse department, in Corsica. Since its creation in 1907, this event has established itself as a benchmark for religious festivals, attracting a loyal and curious audience each year.
An event rooted in its territory
Located in the heart of Bastia, Procession of the Black Christ takes advantage of the exceptional setting of the commune and its heritage. The event fully participates in the tourist attractiveness of the Haute-Corse department and enhances the cultural, natural, and human riches of the Corsican region.
Program and activities
Each edition of Procession of the Black Christ offers a varied program combining religious celebration and conviviality. Visitors can enjoy multiple activities, discoveries, and moments of sharing that enrich this event. The complete program is announced each year on the official channels of the event.
A convivial gathering
Procession of the Black Christ is above all a moment of sharing and conviviality. Whether you are an informed enthusiast or simply curious, everyone will find something to satisfy their curiosity and have a pleasant time in Bastia. The warm welcome from the organizers and volunteers makes each edition a memorable souvenir.
Procession of the Black Christ — edition 2026
The Procession of the Black Christ (U Cristu Negru, in Corsican) is one of the oldest and most fervent religious traditions in Bastia, Haute-Corse. Every May 3rd, the day of the Invention of the Holy Cross (Sant'Croci di Maghju), the Sainte-Croix brotherhood carries in procession the famous black wooden crucifix, venerated for nearly six centuries.
The event gathers fishermen, brotherhoods, and faithful in the citadel's narrow streets, down to Bastia's Old Port where the traditional blessing of the sea takes place. A moment of popular devotion that blends memory, faith, and Corsican heritage.
U Cristu Negru, the Black Christ of Miracles of Bastia
According to legend, the dark wooden crucifix was discovered at sea on the night of May 2nd to 3rd, 1428, by two anchovy fishermen, Giuliani and Camugli, who reportedly saw it radiating a thousand lights offshore. Collected and venerated ever since, the Black Christ of Miracles is now preserved in the Sainte-Croix oratory, in the heart of Bastia's citadel.
The Sainte-Croix Brotherhood
The Brotherhood of the White Penitents of Sainte-Croix, the oldest in the city, founded and erected its oratory in the 16th century. Richly decorated with gilded stuccoes created between 1758 and 1775 by artists of Ligurian and Corsican origin, the edifice houses the venerated crucifix. For centuries, the brotherhood has carried the Black Christ in procession every May 3rd.
The Schedule for May 3rd
The day revolves around services at Sainte-Marie Cathedral: mass in Corsican in the morning, solemn mass, followed by vespers and a procession in the late afternoon through the citadel's streets. The procession, gathering fishermen, brotherhoods, and faithful, descends to the Old Port for the blessing of the sea, the highlight of the celebration.
A religious event and emblematic pilgrimage in Bastia's calendar, the Procession of the Black Christ perpetuates a five-century-old tradition, deeply rooted in the city's identity.
Highlights Procession of the Black Christ 2026
- Procession of the famous black wooden crucifix (U Cristu Negru) in Bastia's citadel
- Centuries-old religious tradition carried by the Sainte-Croix brotherhood, every May 3rd
- Blessing of the sea at the Old Port, gathering fishermen, brotherhoods, and faithful
- Veneration of the Black Christ of Miracles, discovered at sea in 1428
Prices Procession of the Black Christ 2026
Practical information — Procession of the Black Christ
Practical Information
Location
Bastia (20200), Haute-Corse.
Access
Travel to Bastia by road. Parking is available near the event site. Consult the official information for access details.
Prices
Free admission.
Contact
For more information, consult the official website of the event or contact the Bastia town hall.
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