The Steps of Faith, the exhibition on the fugitives at the Sanctuary of the Arch

Since September 10, the 17th-century cloister of the Dominican convent of the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Arco di Sant'Anastasia has hosted "The Steps of Faith ," a photography exhibition dedicated to the Easter Monday pilgrimage. Twelve photographers have captured the latest edition of the rite, which saw thousands of devotees arrive on foot to the sanctuary. The exhibition is part of the celebrations for the 152nd anniversary of the Coronation.

The photographic exhibition The steps of faith

The inauguration is scheduled for Thursday, September 10th at 5:30 PM in the convent's 17th-century cloister, promoted by the sanctuary's prior and rector, Father Gianpaolo Pagano, through the Center for Studies on Popular Religiosity. The photographers and masters involved will present some of the footage collected on Easter Monday, when, as usual, thousands of devotees walked to the Madonna dell'Arco.

The journey as a story

The project combines the visual power of images with the spiritual and anthropological depth of the theme of the journey, which suggests movement, exploration, and human rhythms. The pilgrimage is not only described as a physical experience, made up of dust, toil, and gazes oriented toward the beyond, but also as a metaphor for existence itself.

Each photograph becomes a milestone, each face a point of reflection, on a journey that intertwines devotion, culture, and personal exploration. Faith becomes gesture, belonging, memory, and identity, in keeping with the Neapolitan Easter traditions that are renewed every year on Easter Monday.

The twelve photographers on display

Martino Allocca , Raffaele Calafiore , Nino Cosentino , Giancarlo De Luca , Gennaro Di Marzo , Claudio Frontone , Pino Gala , Annalisa Giardino , Ciro Marigliano , Marco Molino , Massimo Pellone and Pepa Ricciardi are exhibiting their works : twelve perspectives that convey the strength of a collective and popular experience.

The book The Steps of Faith

The exhibition will remain open until Saturday, October 10 , when the book I Passi della Fede , published by NonSoloParole Edizioni di Pollena Trocchia, will be presented. The volume collects the exhibition's most significant shots and three essays that examine the theme from religious, social, and anthropological perspectives.

The book will be previewed on Friday, October 2nd at 13:00 PM at the Royal Palace in Naples, during the Campania Libri Festival 2026.

Timetables and useful information

The exhibition is open daily during the opening hours of the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Arco, in the Vesuvian municipality of Sant'Anastasia, one of the Vesuvian villages worth visiting in the province of Naples. Entrance follows the sanctuary's opening hours: 7:00 AM - 13:00 PM and 16:00 PM - 20:00 PM.

When does the exhibition I passi della fede open?

The inauguration is Thursday, September 10th at 5:30 pm in the 17th-century cloister of the Dominican convent.

Where is the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Arco located?

The sanctuary is located in Sant'Anastasia, in the province of Naples, in the Vesuvian area.

What are the exhibition hours?

The exhibition is open every day from 7:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00, until Saturday 10 October.

How many photographers are exhibiting?

The authors on display are twelve: Martino Allocca, Raffaele Calafiore, Nino Cosentino, Giancarlo De Luca, Gennaro Di Marzo, Claudio Frontone, Pino Gala, Annalisa Giardino, Ciro Marigliano, Marco Molino, Massimo Pellone and Pepa Ricciardi.

When will the book I Passi della Fede be presented?

The book, published by NonSoloParole Edizioni, will be presented on Saturday, October 10th, the last day of the exhibition. The preview is scheduled for Friday, October 2nd at 13:00 PM at the Palazzo Reale in Naples during the Campania Libri Festival 2026.