Passio Christi

A Jerusalem in the Lucanian Alleys

In Salandra, a village in the province of Matera, Holy Saturday is the day of the Passio Christi, one of the most evocative sacred representations of Lucanian Holy Week. Established in 2001, this living Via Crucis transforms the historic center into a small Jerusalem, recreated among the streets, squares, and monuments of the town.

Over a Hundred Participants on Stage

The performance involves more than 100 participants in Roman-era costumes who, with great scenic care, bring to life the various scenes of the life of Jesus Christ: from the entrance into Jerusalem to the Resurrection, passing through the dramatic moments of the Passion and Death. It is a grand choral spectacle that mobilizes the entire community, the result of weeks of preparation.

Faith, Memory, and Community

• A widespread itinerary through the streets, squares, and monuments of the historic center;
• Period settings and costumes to reconstruct the Jerusalem of Christ's time;
• Joint organization by the Parish, Pro Loco, and Municipality of Salandra.

An Event of Identity

The Passio Christi is much more than a staging: it is a collective ritual that renews the faith and identity of Salandra every year, attracting spectators and faithful from neighboring towns as well. Experienced in the twilight of Holy Saturday, among the alleys of the village, it conveys all the spirituality and theatricality of the Lucanian religious tradition.