La rievocazione storica
della Passione di Cristo
History
Historical Re-enactment of the Passion of Christ
The origins of a tradition handed down from 17th century
Origins
Also documented by some historical records, the popular tradition dates Grassina’s Good Friday Historical Re-enactment to the early decades of the 17th century.
However, it was an exclusively religious rite, found in many parts of central and southern Europe in those years as a pious act of devout thanksgiving for deliverance from the scourges of war and the Black Death.
20th century
With the passage of time, the mystical feeling was also added a spectacular element of great fascination for the events depicted because of the strong psychological motivations and the setting in natural scenery of rare charm.
Suspended during the war years, the Reenactment was revived and again enriched in 1950, and continued until 1966, the year of the disastrous flood in Florence. After 17 years, a group of grassland volunteers, revived the event with completely new texts and musical adaptation.
Today
The performance today consists of 2 moments that take place simultaneously. Historical procession through the streets of the town, in which about 500 figures in period costume participate, and scenes from the life and passion of Jesus on “Calvary,” performed by about 100 extras.
Photo Gallery
Historical photos of the performance
