On Good Friday evening, in the hamlet of Grassina, a few kilometres from Florence, in the municipality of Bagno a Ripoli, a large religious performance takes place. The scenes of the Passion of Jesus Christ are performed outdoors, in the streets, squares and open spaces of the village, with the participation of about 500 actors in costumes from the past.
The event, which in addition to being religious has strong theatrical elements, has its roots in medieval passion plays, when scenes from the Bible were performed for people who were unable to read the Bible themselves.
In fact, according to popular tradition, which is also documented by historical records, the re-enactment of the Passion of Christ in Grassina dates back to the early decades of the 17th century. At that time, it was an exclusively religious procession, a sort of tableau vivant for devotional and educational purposes.
Over time, the spectacular elements have been greatly enhanced, increasing the show's evocative power: not only do the performers convey commitment and passion, but the setting is also full of charm; five hours of unforgettable entertainment, retracing the entire life of Jesus. The whole of Grassina is actively involved in the event, which essentially takes place in two different “sets”.
This is one of the oldest historical re-enactments in Italy. It is organised by the CAT (Cultural Association of Grassina). A ticket must be purchased in order to participate.
