Abbatissae – Women, Power and Other Stories

A journey into the Monstrum Apuliae

Abbatissae – Women, Power and Other Stories is an itinerant historical re-enactment held in the summer in the ancient heart of Castellana Grotte, a town in the Metropolitan City of Bari, Puglia. The show recounts one of the most unique chapters of local history: the so-called Monstrum Apuliae, the extraordinary story of over five centuries of spiritual and temporal power held by a woman, the Abbess. From 1266 to 1810, the mitred abbesses of the Monastery of San Benedetto in Conversano governed the lands and souls of Castellana with authority nearly equal to that of a bishop, a rare case in the history of the Church and Southern Italy.

A theatrical path through the alleys

The Abbatissae format is that of itinerant theater: the audience does not remain seated but walks along. Starting from the Arco De Marinis in Largo Porta Grande, spectators are guided from stage to stage along the alleys, courtyards, and squares of the village, which are transformed into natural sets. Every corner of the historic center becomes a backdrop for actors, extras, dancers, singers, and musicians, while videomapping projections dress the facades of houses and churches with light and memory.

A choral community effort

Conceived and directed by Elvira Spartano and produced by the Grocà Theater Association in collaboration with the Municipality of Castellana Grotte, Abbatissae is above all a major community project. About two hundred local people are involved in the performance: actors, extras, musicians, dancers, singers, and technicians. Numerous local groups participate, including the Banda di Castellana, Passione Danza, Compagnia Teatro Due, Passito Bailante, Associazione Musicale Nino Rota, Gruppo Teatrale Amici Nostri, and Compagnia Artù di Bari. Choreography is by Daniela Carbone, and set design by Fabio Verdolino.

Why it's worth the trip

• An unusual historical re-enactment focused on the female power of the mitred abbesses rather than typical chivalric themes.
• An immersive production that combines theater, dance, live music, and videomapping in the most beautiful corners of the historic center.
• A free, participatory event capable of attracting thousands of spectators: the 2025 edition recorded approximately 2,500 attendees.
• The perfect opportunity to discover Castellana Grotte, famous for its caves, through its historical and cultural identity.

Abbatissae has become a staple of the summer season in Castellana and one of the most recognizable cultural events in the Bari hinterland, capable of transforming the micro-history of a Puglian village into a collective and spectacular narrative.