Passion of Jesus Christ

A tradition alive since 1971

The Passion of Jesus Christ in Lizzano, in the heart of the Taranto province, is one of the most beloved sacred performances in Puglia. Born in 1971 from the enthusiasm of a group of young people led by Father Stefano Marchionna, it began in a simple form with just five scenes. It has never stopped since: today it is a complex and engaging narrative that unfolds in eighteen scenic tableaux and travels through the town streets every Palm Sunday, effectively opening the Holy Week in Lizzano.

Eighteen scenes along the town streets

The show is itinerant: the audience follows the story by moving between different locations in the town center, where each scene comes to life in a carefully reconstructed setting. It begins with the festive entry into Jerusalem and continues with the market, the washing of the feet and the Last Supper, the agony in Gethsemane, the trial before the Sanhedrin, the interrogations by Pilate and Herod, the Via Crucis leading to the Crucifixion, the Deposition, and finally, the glorious Resurrection. Approximately 150 volunteer actors of all generations, along with costumes and sets entirely created by local volunteers and professionals, provide a faithful fresco of the Gospel accounts.

A community rite

More than just a theatrical performance, the Passion of Lizzano is a moment of shared reflection, where theater becomes a means to recount the faith and identity of an entire town. Elderly guardians of tradition, increasingly involved young people, and curious children work all year on the preparations: it is this interweaving of generations that makes the event a truly living heritage.

The Pietre Vive Association

The performance is organized by the Associazione Pietre Vive aps-ets, heir to the historic Passion Committee. For twenty years, it has been part of the Europassion network, which connects Holy Week events throughout Europe, and participates in the UNESCO Perspective for the Passions of Christ project, which aims to recognize these performances as cultural heritage of humanity. The initiative is supported by the Archdiocese of Taranto, the Province of Taranto, and the Puglia Region.

Why it is worth the trip

Attending the Passion of Lizzano means experiencing one of the most authentic expressions of popular religiosity in the Salento area of Taranto up close. The value of the show lies not in scenic effects, but in the sincerity with which an entire community comes together to tell the story of the final moments of Christ's life, amidst silences, glances, and genuine emotions.