Thomas Becket A.D. 1170

Thomas Becket A.D. 1170: Mottola returns to the year 1000

In the heart of winter, while the rest of Italy is immersed in Christmas festivities, the village of Mottola, in the province of Taranto, transforms into a medieval city to celebrate its patron saint with one of the most evocative historical re-enactments in Puglia. Thomas Becket A.D. 1170 is a major public event dedicated to Saint Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury who was murdered in his cathedral on December 29, 1170, for defending the autonomy of the Church against the power of King Henry II of England.

Why an English saint is the patron of Mottola

The bond between this Murgia town and the English martyr is rooted in the Middle Ages: according to tradition, some of the saint's relics arrived in Mottola, which then adopted him as its protector. Since then, the Mottola community has guarded this unique devotion, which makes the patronal feast on December 29 a one-of-a-kind event in Italy and today fuels a cultural dialogue with Canterbury and the Church of England.

Three days of spectacle in the medieval village

For the occasion, the historic center fills with artisan workshops, historical games, themed taverns and dining spots, street performers, and early music. The most anticipated moment is the grand historical pageant, which parades through the streets of the town with over 400 costumed performers, accompanied by living tableaux that trace the fundamental stages of Becket's life, from his friendship with the king to their eventual rift and his exile.

The re-enactment of the assassination

The climax of the event is the re-enactment of the martyrdom in Piazza XX Settembre: inspired by historical sources and the texts of T.S. Eliot ("Murder in the Cathedral") and the chronicler Edward Grim, the scene of the saint's death comes to life amidst illuminated sets and high-impact video projections. There is no shortage of institutional and religious moments, such as the presentation of the Golden Becket and the solemn concelebrated mass in the Mother Church of Santa Maria Assunta, alongside the Rioni tournament and evening medieval performances.

A vibrant and growing event

Organized by the Association of the Heralds of Saint Thomas Becket, the re-enactment is now a landmark event in Southern Italy, capable of drawing visitors to Mottola from all over Puglia and beyond. In recent years, the event has hosted local dignitaries and initiated international relations with Canterbury, confirming its status as a festival that combines local identity, historical value, and popular entertainment with free admission.