Sacred Representation of the Passion of Christ

An open-air sacred theatre in the heart of the Brindisi Salento

In Torre Santa Susanna, a small town in the Province of Brindisi, Holy Week is not just experienced in church: it is lived in the streets. Every spring, the Sacred Representation of the Passion of Christ turns the historic centre into a vast open-air stage, where over a hundred local residents become apostles, Roman soldiers, townspeople, Sanhedrin priests, and figures of Golgotha for an evening. It is one of the most heartfelt Passion plays in all of Puglia, attracting thousands of spectators, both residents and visitors.

A tradition dating back to 1548

The roots of the event run deep. Local tradition traces its origins to 1548, when the dramatic lauda Il pianto della Madonna (the famous Donna de Paradiso by Jacopone da Todi), one of the foundational texts of Italian sacred theatre, was performed in the Mother Church of Torre Santa Susanna. From that medieval core, the community has preserved the story of the Passion for centuries, passing it down from generation to generation into the itinerant theatrical form we know today.

The direction of Franco Tomai and the Citizens' Committee

Since 1982, the artistic direction and staging have been entrusted to Franco Tomai, author of the script Tu...! Noi...!, inspired by a 20th-century manuscript. The performance is brought to life by the Citizens' Committee "Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ", a group of about one hundred to one hundred and twenty people, including actors, technicians, and crew members who spend months preparing costumes, sets, and effects to ensure everything is as authentic as possible. The Committee is a member of Europassione per l'Italia, the national network of Passion plays committed to the UNESCO recognition process as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

An event that unites two towns

The unique feature of the event is its itinerant and inter-municipal nature: the Passion does not stop in Torre Santa Susanna but continues in nearby Mesagne, where the same scenes are brought to life in the old town. In some editions, the route has also included Erchie, creating a true itinerary of faith across the Brindisi territory. The Via Crucis winds through the streets of the historic centres, involving citizens and spectators in a moment of intense collective participation, under the patronage of the respective municipalities, the Province of Brindisi, and the Puglia Region.

Why attend

Attending the Passion of Torre Santa Susanna means discovering an authentic popular rite, far from tourist clichés: meticulously crafted costumes, evocative settings, and an emotionally charged performance that turns the town into a widespread theatre. It is an experience that speaks of faith, identity, and belonging, bringing an entire community out into the streets every year.