Thomas Becket A.D. 1170

Thomas Becket A.D. 1170 – 2025 edition

From December 27 to 29, 2025, Mottola (TA) returned to the year 1000 with the grand event dedicated to its patron saint. On December 27 and 28, from 6 PM to 10 PM, the historic center hosted an immersive journey through artisan workshops, historical games, early music, entertainment, and themed dining.

The most anticipated moment took place on Sunday, December 28: at 7 PM, the grand historical pageant departed from the Terrazze del Mezzogiorno with over 400 performers and living tableaux depicting Becket's life; at 8:30 PM, in Piazza XX Settembre, the evocative re-enactment of the saint's assassination, inspired by the texts of T.S. Eliot and Edward Grim, featured video projections and illuminated sets.

On December 29, the feast day of the patron saint, the focus shifted to religious and institutional moments – including the presentation of the Golden Becket and the solemn concelebrated mass in the Mother Church – followed in the evening by the Rioni tournament and medieval performances. The guest of honor for the edition was Mottola native and Olympic race-walking champion Antonella Palmisano. All events were free to attend.