Solemn Living Via Crucis

A Passion that lives again in the heart of Salento

In the village of Martano, in the province of Lecce (Apulia), the heart of Grecìa Salentina, the Solemn Living Via Crucis is the most anticipated and attended event of Holy Week. It is not merely a religious procession, but a true itinerant sacred play: for one evening, the entire historic center becomes the Jerusalem of two thousand years ago, while about 200 costumed participants retrace, scene by scene, the final moments of Jesus Christ's earthly life.

The event blends spiritual depth with cultural value, involving actors, extras, and volunteers of all ages in a meditative journey along illuminated streets and squares. It stands as one of the most beautiful and moving sacred representations animating Salento communities at this time of year.

The scenes of the re-enactment

The itinerant route starts from the parish halls of the Church of Maria SS. del Rosario and unfolds through the key moments of the Passion according to the Gospel:

• Last Supper and the Washing of the Feet
• Prayer and agony in Gethsemane
• Jesus' arrest and the judgment of the Sanhedrin
• The trial and condemnation by Pontius Pilate
• Encounters along the ascent to Calvary: the Mother, the Cyrenian, and Veronica
• The repentance of Judas and the dialogue between the thieves
• The Crucifixion and the Resurrection

The scenes are set in the town's symbolic landmarks, from Piazzetta Matteotti to Piazza Castello, ending at the Calvary prepared near the municipal cemetery.

A rite that belongs to the community

The Living Via Crucis is organized by the Maria SS. del Rosario Parish of Martano, under the artistic direction of director Totino Stella and the spiritual guidance of the parish priest. The tradition dates back to the early 1980s, initiated by Father Cesare Palma, and has been renewed continuously ever since, passing down costumes, sets, and living tableaux from generation to generation. It is a collective effort: entire families from Martano participate annually in the event's preparation, which is supported by the municipal administration, the Province of Lecce, and the Apulia Region.

Martano and Grecìa Salentina

Located in the Salento hinterland, Martano is one of the municipalities of Grecìa Salentina, the area where the ancient Grika language is preserved. The Solemn Living Via Crucis represents the most intimate and devotional soul of the town: an opportunity to discover the historic center, its churches, and its alleys in an intense and evocative atmosphere during the period leading up to Easter.