La Storia Bandita

An open-air epic among the Lucanian woods

In the heart of Basilicata, in Brindisi Montagna in the Province of Potenza, the Parco della Grancia hosts "La Storia Bandita" every summer, defined as the largest popular theatre cinema-show in Italy. The show takes place in a picturesque natural amphitheatre created in a forest clearing, capable of accommodating up to 3,500 spectators over a stage area of 25,000 square metres.

The epic of Lucanian brigandage

The performance stages the revolts of the South after the Unification of Italy, focusing on the figure of the legendary brigand Carmine Crocco and his resistance against the Piedmontese army. Over 300 volunteer extras bring battles, scenes of peasant life, and epic moments to life, in a "live film" that combines theatre, cinema, and technology.

A spectacular experience

The staging employs over 600 lighting fixtures, powerful audio systems, projections, and evocative water screens, with the narration by great Italian actors such as Michele Placido, Lina Sastri, Paolo Ferrari, and Orso Maria Guerrini. The evening show is preceded, during the day, by a visit to the educational park, dedicated to the history, nature, and rural traditions of Basilicata.

A journey into the memory of the South

More than just a show, "La Storia Bandita" is an opportunity to rediscover an often-forgotten chapter of Italian history and to immerse oneself in the identity of inland Basilicata. A summer event that for over twenty years has attracted visitors from all over Italy to the green heart of the Lucanian Apennines.