Abbatissae – Women, Power and Other Stories

The third act of the Monstrum Apuliae

The 2025 edition of Abbatissae took place from Friday, August 8 to Sunday, August 10 in the historic center of Castellana Grotte (Bari), directed by Elvira Spartano. The third act focused on the micro-history of the people of Castellana, recounting five centuries of power held by the mitred abbesses of the Monastery of San Benedetto in Conversano.

Entries, staggered every fifteen minutes from 8:15 PM to 11:00 PM, started from the Arco De Marinis in Largo Porta Grande: the audience was guided along a walking route lasting about an hour, through alleys and squares animated by theatrical scenes, choreography by Daniela Carbone, set design by Fabio Verdolino, and videomapping by Pit Campanella.

Numerous local groups collaborated on the production: the Banda di Castellana, Passione Danza, Compagnia Teatro Due, Passito Bailante, Associazione Musicale Nino Rota, Gruppo Teatrale Amici Nostri, and Compagnia Artù di Bari. Admission was free with mandatory reservation, totaling approximately 2,500 attendees over the three evenings.

Evening structure — August 8, 9, and 10, 2025

• Departure: Arco De Marinis, Largo Porta Grande (historic center)
• Entries: staggered every 15 minutes from 8:15 PM to 11:00 PM (last entry)
• Route duration: approximately one hour, itinerant on foot
• Content: theatrical scenes, dance, live music, singing, and videomapping along the village alleys

Directed by Elvira Spartano, choreography by Daniela Carbone, set design by Fabio Verdolino, videomapping by Pit Campanella. Approximately 200 performers including actors, extras, musicians, dancers, singers, and technicians, with the participation of Banda di Castellana, Passione Danza, Compagnia Teatro Due, Passito Bailante, Associazione Musicale Nino Rota, Gruppo Teatrale Amici Nostri, and Compagnia Artù di Bari.