On Maundy Thursday, this Tuscia village relives the final days of Jesus with over 200 performers and 10,000 candles
In the small village of Carbognano, in the province of Viterbo, Maundy Thursday marks the most anticipated event of the year. The town's historic center, with its cobblestone alleys and ancient vistas, becomes an immense open-air stage for the Passion of Christ Historical Re-enactment, a sacred performance that retraces the final days of Jesus' life, from his condemnation to the crucifixion.
Starting at 9:00 PM, over two hundred performers wind through the streets in a long procession under the stars, accompanied by animals and meticulously detailed scenery. Approximately 10,000 candles illuminate the streets, squares, and walls of the village, creating an intimate and evocative atmosphere that unites believers and non-believers in a shared emotional experience.
The procession traverses the iconic landmarks of Carbognano: the Church of San Pietro Apostolo and the imposing Castello Farnese provide the backdrop for the various stations of the Passion. Scenes unfold along the town's historic route, faithfully reconstructing the moments of the Last Supper, the trial, the flagellation, and the ascent to Calvary, culminating in the crucifixion that concludes the performance.
The event is organized by the Passione di Cristo Cultural Association, led by president Mirko Gagliardi, with the collaboration of numerous local volunteers. Notable historical groups participate in the re-enactment, such as the III Legio Gallica, the Ussari di Ronciglione, and the Gruppo Storico Romano, who manage the costumes and portray the Roman soldiers. The event is held under the patronage of the Municipality of Carbognano.
The Carbognano re-enactment is part of the rich heritage of sacred performances in the Viterbo Tuscia, a land of ancient religious traditions that animate the province's villages every year during Holy Week with processions, pageants, and living Stations of the Cross. In Carbognano, the event grows year after year, attracting visitors from across Lazio and gifting the small town a night of deep popular participation, where faith intertwines with history and the community's identity.
On Maundy Thursday, April 2, 2026, the village of Carbognano, in the province of Viterbo, hosted a new edition of the Passion of Christ Historical Re-enactment. Starting at 9:00 PM, over two hundred performers brought the sacred representation to life along the streets of the historic center, illuminated by approximately 10,000 candles.
The procession, accompanied by animals and detailed scenery, retraced the stages of the Passion between the Church of San Pietro Apostolo and the Castello Farnese, with the participation of the III Legio Gallica, the Ussari di Ronciglione, and the Gruppo Storico Romano. The event, organized by the Passione di Cristo Cultural Association under the patronage of the Municipality of Carbognano, confirmed the growing public turnout of recent years.
The performance took place starting at 9:00 PM along the route of Carbognano's historic center. The procession, with over 200 performers and approximately 10,000 candles, staged the stages of the Passion of Christ:
Carbognano is located in the Viterbo Tuscia, in northern Lazio. By car, it can be reached via the Via Cassia or the Orte-Viterbo expressway, exiting toward Vignanello and Carbognano. The nearest train station is in Viterbo, about 25 km away, which is then connected by local buses.
The performance begins at 9:00 PM on Maundy Thursday and takes place along the streets of the historic center. Admission is free.
We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for walking on the village's cobblestone streets. Given the large turnout, it is best to arrive early to find a spot along the route and to park in the areas outside the historic center.
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Centro storico di Carbognano