Stories from Local Ambassadors: discover the Giudeata Sacra in Chianciano Terme with Luciano Pucello

The Giudeata of Chianciano Terme: between tradition and spirituality on Good Friday

With this series dedicated to events in the Valdichiana Senese promoted by Local Ambassadors, we share stories and traditions brought to life by the people who make them possible. These are rituals that have stood the test of time, continuing to live on through community participation and becoming authentic experiences each year for both those who organize them and those who take part.

In Chianciano Terme, Good Friday becomes one of these moments thanks to the Giudeata, one of the most powerful and widely attended historical reenactments in the Valdichiana Senese.

First created in 1985 from an idea by Don Carlo Sensani, together with Antonello Betti and Luciano Pucello, the Giudeata revives and reinterprets an ancient tradition rooted in 17th-century sacred representations.

Today, the event involves more than 150 performers in historical costume, offering the audience a cultural narrative that blends history, spirituality, and strong visual impact.

At the heart of the event is the long historical procession that winds through the old town of Chianciano Terme. The scenes unfold in a meaningful sequence: from Roman soldiers on horseback, led by the riders of the “Tre Laghi” equestrian association, to Christ carrying the cross toward Calvary, followed by the Virgin Mary and the Pious Women, and figures such as Pontius Pilate, Herod Antipas, and the Sanhedrin led by Caiaphas.

Every detail helps create a deeply evocative and engaging atmosphere.

At 9:30 PM, the procession begins from the Church of the Compagnia, led by the town band “Bonaventura Somma.” It is followed by the sacred effigies of the Dead Christ—an outstanding example of Baroque wooden sculpture by Paleari—and the Sorrowful Virgin Mary, in a moment of collective participation that brings together both residents and visitors.

One of the most evocative moments takes place just outside the old town walls, where the procession pauses for the reading of Gospel passages recounting the Passion. This creates a powerful moment of reflection and spirituality, enhancing the meaning of the entire representation.

In recent years, the Giudeata of Chianciano Terme has gained broader recognition, becoming part of the EUROPASSIONEITALIA network and attracting an increasingly international audience. It stands as a powerful example of how a deeply rooted local tradition can resonate with visitors from across Europe.

Taking part in the Giudeata means immersing yourself in a living tradition, one that transforms Good Friday into an authentic experience where memory, faith, place, and community come together.

Watch the full interview to learn more.