SORDEVOLO PASSION PLAY 2027
The Sordevolo Passion Play is a large-scale theatrical reenactment of the Passion of Christ, performed every five years in the village of Sordevolo, Italy. Unique for its community involvement, the entire town’s residents—over 400 actors and 300 volunteers—participate in staging the event in an open-air amphitheater. Originating in the early 19th century, it combines faith, tradition, and artistry, drawing thousands of visitors from around the world to witness this moving expression of devotion and culture.
Since around 1490, the Passion Play has captivated audiences in Italy, first performed on Good Friday in Rome’s Colosseum by the Gonfalon Confraternity, drawing pilgrims, travelers, and dignitaries. Although this tradition was halted in 1539 by Pope Paul III amid the upheavals of the Reformation, its legacy found a new home in the picturesque village of Sordevolo.
How the “Roman” Passion reached Sordevolo remains a mystery. It may have arrived through the ties between the Roman Gonfalon Confraternity and Sordevolo’s St. Lucy Confraternity, or via the Ambrosetti family, local weavers and merchants who traded with buyers in Rome. For over two centuries, the people of Sordevolo have embraced this story of faith, performing the Passion of Christ with complete artistic and organizational autonomy, passing down a living tradition that engages the entire community.
Nestled 2,130 feet above sea level on the rolling hills north of Biella, Sordevolo is framed by the majestic Mount Mombarone and Mount Mucrone, towering over 6,560 feet. The village’s name evokes its natural and spiritual heritage—possibly from super Elvum, the nearby brook; from the Latin surdibulum, meaning spring waters; or from the phrase Solo reverir Deo volo (“I wish only to serve God”) inscribed on an ancient pilgrims’ hospice.
Set amid forests, hills, and soaring peaks, the Passion Play takes place every five years, most recently captivating audiences from June to September 2027. This extraordinary open-air performance transforms the village into a stage where about 1,300 residents become actors, musicians, artisans, and stagehands, all united in bringing this centuries-old story to life. Visitors are not merely spectators—they are immersed in the vibrant culture, spiritual devotion, and communal pride of Sordevolo.
The Sordevolo Passion Play is more than a performance; it is a journey through history, faith, and Italian heritage. For travelers seeking an unforgettable experience, it offers the perfect blend of breathtaking scenery, authentic local culture, and a once-in-a-lifetime theatrical spectacle.
