The historical commemoration of Good Friday at Grassina, near to Florence, dates back in the early 1700s according to documents of popular tradition. Originally, it was an exclusively religious event but as time passed it took on a theatrical pulse as the originators added mystical sentiments, and changed the setting of the performance to an outdoor arena of uncommon charm. In past centuries the people would celebrate Good Friday with a pageant, to thank the Lord for having spared them from disease and destitution. In Grassina, the first processions were held in the early 1700s, and were strictly religious. With the years the procession has changed, with one of the townsmen playing the Jesus, carrying the cross up to a hill above the town, while everyone else followed, and playing the part of the mass that accompanied the Savior. On the top of the hill, a commemoration finishes with the Crucifixion.

The procession through town is made up of about 500 people, all dressed in costumes of legionaries, Mary Magdalene, the Apostles, and many more. It is performed by about 80 actors and the dialogues are taken from the gospels, and with classical music.

Because of the festival's increasing popularity, the episodes from the life of Christ are also reenacted on Saturday, again starting at 9:30pm.

Next day, on Easter Morning you can visit Scoppio del Carro in Florence.

Directions

By car

Take the S67 from Florence and drive for 15-20 minutes, then take the S222 for another 3 km until you reach the town.

For more information visit