Chianciano Terme: the 'Giudeata' Good Friday procession returns to the

Chianciano Terme: the 'Giudeata' Good Friday procession returns to the historic centre

When: Good Friday, April 3, at 9:30 PM.

Meeting point: Collegiata Church, in the historic centre.

The Giudeata is a traditional historical reenactment of the Passion of Christ held in Chianciano Terme on Good Friday. Likely dating back to the 18th century and revived in the 1980s, the event mobilises local volunteers and associations to stage the key episodes of the Gospel narrative.

• Participants: about 150 performers in period costumes.
• Format: the spectacle includes several historical groups – notably Roman soldiers on horseback (with the Tre Laghi Equestrian Association), the procession of Christ carrying the cross accompanied by the Madonna and the pious women, Pontius Pilate’s retinue and the Sanhedrin led by the high priest.
• Procession: following the historical scenes, the official procession is opened by the municipal band “Bonaventura Somma”, carrying the sacred statues of the Dead Christ (a Baroque wooden sculpture) and Our Lady of Sorrows, joined by the faithful.
• Pause and readings: the procession pauses in Largo Aristeo Biancolini, in front of the Etruscan Archaeological Museum, where passages from the Gospel about the Passion are recited.

Local officials emphasise the event’s role as a living heritage of the town: the Giudeata preserves traditions, strengthens community bonds and is made possible by the dedication of many volunteers and organisations.

Practical tips: arrive early to find parking in the historic centre, prefer public transport if possible, and follow pedestrian routes during the procession. The event is free and suitable for families and visitors interested in local history and religious tradition.