La Passió de Vilalba dels Arcs

The Passion of Vilalba

The Passion of Vilalba brings us closer to the social and cultural reality experienced by Jesus during the final days of his life, from his entry into Jerusalem to his crucifixion. The play, which takes place in the streets and squares of the town's historic center, is a clear example of the purest theater, as the audience participates in all twelve scenes, even mingling with the actors.

This vision of the Passion captures the most social aspect of the biblical story, hence the importance of the townspeople and especially the women, who are always forgotten, who take on a special role from the very beginning until they reach the foot of the cross.

Oil lamps, torchlight, sackcloth, the smell of aromatic herbs and the sound of crows are the elements that make up this humble representation without special effects, where the importance of the word and dialogue are the main protagonists.

The Wine and Oil of Passion

Wine is one of the natural products most clearly linked to Mediterranean culture, along with olive oil and bread. In relation to the region, Vilalba is a town with a long winemaking tradition and boasts a good number of wineries registered in the Terra Alta DO.

For 10 years, the Patronato de la Pasión has been producing an old-fashioned wine, similar to that of the Roman era, which could easily be the wine Jesus himself drank at the Last Supper. The entire process is artisanal, from the grape harvest to the racking and storage in clay amphorae.

On Holy Saturday morning, the amphorae are opened during a guided tasting with the participation of all the town's wineries, among others. The Passion Wine is tasted for the first time after being sealed months earlier.

On Palm Saturday, the Passion Oil tasting takes place, made in stone, as part of a day dedicated to the world of olive oil, in which the DOP Aceite de Terra Alta participates. You can also try unleavened bread baked in the city's old oven, just as the Jews did during Passover.

Territory Tasting

The Patronato de la Pasión (Passion Trust) is committed to a comprehensive tasting of the region, whether gastronomic, cultural, artistic, or heritage, of Terra Alta and the Ebro River in general.

The Handicraft and Traditional Products Market offers the opportunity to discover our artisans and taste our oils, nuts, pasta, cured meats, and many other products. In addition, there's the Wine Route, where you can sample high-quality wines.

Through the Quick Painting Contest, you'll enjoy art in its purest form, watching paintings come to life as you stroll through the medieval streets, visit the ancient Brotherhood of Our Lady of Grace, or climb the tallest bell tower in the Ebro River.

Our own traditional dances, our musicians, and the performances of our actors and actresses are also cornerstones of this philosophy, which focuses on fostering a recognition and immersion of visitors in the essence of the Ebrec and Terratlí territories. In addition, a new children's story about the story of the Passion of Vilalba has been published, providing a special memory of your visit.