The Holy Wednesday Passion Play

For more than fifty years the Passion has been staged among the ruins of the rock-hewn village, lit by torches, with the Maiella facing it.

The story

For more than fifty years now the play has brought the Passion of Christ back to life. It follows the gospel accounts, although there is no shortage of texts and scenes that bring it up to date and set it against modern times.

The event is a large one, involving more than 150 people in period costume, as well as musicians, choirs and dancers. Part of it takes place in the village square; but the most striking moments, those of the crucifixion and sometimes of the Resurrection too, are set against the ruins of the old rock-hewn settlement, facing the great bulk of the Maiella.

Here and there along the procession that accompanies Jesus to Calvary, among fragments of wall and caves cut into the gypsum, scenes of everyday life as it once was are acted out. The unusual setting, the particular light of the torches, the singing of the choir and the music make for moments of real atmosphere and spiritual feeling.

Over the past ten years the play has become biennial and takes place on the Wednesday of Holy Week.