Description
The historical commemoration of Good Friday at Grassina dates back to the first decades of the seventeenth century, according to a popular tradition which has also been documented by historical records. This commemoration was exclusively a religious rite, which in those times took place in many parts of Central and Southern Europe as a pious act of devout thanksgiving for having been liberated from the scourges of war and the bubbonic plague, known as the “Black Death”.
As time passed, a spectacular element of great effect was also added to the mystical feeling, with strong psychological motivations and a setting in natural scenario of rare charm.
Suspended during the war years, the commemoration was resumed in a further enriched version in 1950, and it continued until 1966, the year that Florence was hit by the disastrous flood. Seventeen years later a group of volunteers from Grassina proposed a new script and also new music. so as to give it a more modern, simple and fundamental aspect.
The performance consists of two phases: first, an historical parade, by about 500 people dressed in period costumes, through the streets of the town; and then, scenes from the Christ’s life, followed by His Passion on the Calvary, interpreted by about one hundred actors.
The Play
Contacts
Grassina Passion Play is organized by:
Centro Attività Turistica Grassina
Via Dante Alighieri, 11 50012 Grassina (FI)
Phone/Fax +39 055 646051
Mobile +39 333 8270007
E-mail: catgrassina@virgilio.it