“palio della mezzaluna” palio of the crescent it is a very important event in our town also for...
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““Palio della Palio della Mezzaluna”Mezzaluna”Palio of the Palio of the
CrescentCrescent
It is a very important event in our It is a very important event in our town also for its historical town also for its historical
implicationsimplications
Many among the Many among the soldiers were from soldiers were from Massafra, led by the Massafra, led by the bishop of Mottola, bishop of Mottola, Jacopo MicheliJacopo Micheli
On September 22 in 1594 a On September 22 in 1594 a Turkish fleet reached the Turkish fleet reached the mouth of the Tara river, 4 mouth of the Tara river, 4 km. away from Massafra. km. away from Massafra. They fought the Christian They fought the Christian troopstroops
After a hard battle, After a hard battle, an overwhelming an overwhelming victoryvictory
In order to celebrate the ventures, In order to celebrate the ventures, Massafra’s people set up the “palio”, a Massafra’s people set up the “palio”, a
tournament in historical costumestournament in historical costumes
In 1957 the “ Palio dei Rioni “ was In 1957 the “ Palio dei Rioni “ was founded.founded.
Massafra is divided into six Massafra is divided into six neighbourhoods: neighbourhoods:
Pappacoda Pappacoda Imperiali Imperiali
Santi Medici Santi Medici Santa Caterina Santa Caterina Gesù Bambino Gesù Bambino
San MarcoSan Marco
The celebrations for the The celebrations for the palio begin in the afternoon, palio begin in the afternoon,
when the six when the six neighbourhoods are blessed neighbourhoods are blessed
in front of the Dome and in front of the Dome and swear chivalry royaltyswear chivalry royalty
In the procession knights, pageboys, In the procession knights, pageboys, armigers parade, projecting the armigers parade, projecting the audience in a magnificent and audience in a magnificent and
mysterious agemysterious age
The knights challenge each other trying The knights challenge each other trying to thread their lance through a ring to thread their lance through a ring
hanging down a towerhanging down a tower
Then you can enjoy the relay Then you can enjoy the relay race in the main streets of the race in the main streets of the towntown
The winner is the athlete who first The winner is the athlete who first reaches the square with the torch lit in reaches the square with the torch lit in his hand sets fire to the cracker placed his hand sets fire to the cracker placed in front of the main authorities of the in front of the main authorities of the
towntown
The CarnivalThe Carnival
The Carnival in Massafra The Carnival in Massafra has a long tradition has a long tradition (60 editions so far)(60 editions so far)
It is one of the most important in It is one of the most important in ApuliaApulia
It is well known as really funnyIt is well known as really funny
Every year at Carnival there is a parade Every year at Carnival there is a parade of floats along the main street of the of floats along the main street of the
towntown
The floats are made The floats are made of papier machè and of papier machè and take part into a take part into a competitioncompetition
Children, young people Children, young people and adults enjoy the and adults enjoy the
CarnivalCarnival
They join maskers They join maskers in dance and in dance and
everybody has funeverybody has fun
The official mask of The official mask of Massafra’s Carnival is Massafra’s Carnival is Gibergallo, a type of Gibergallo, a type of
clownclown
Schools also take part in the Schools also take part in the contestcontest
with very nice groups, who with very nice groups, who perform perform
in front of the juryin front of the jury
This is one of their permormancesThis is one of their permormances
The procession of The procession of the “Mysteries”the “Mysteries”
It is a long processionIt is a long procession
It features 8 floats of wood and It features 8 floats of wood and sculptures of sculptures of
scenes of the Passionscenes of the Passion
It takes place every Good FridayIt takes place every Good Friday
The statues includeThe statues includethe Dead Jesus andthe Dead Jesus andthe Lady of Sorrowsthe Lady of Sorrows
Festival of Festival of graingrain
It takes place in SummerIt takes place in Summer
All people gather on a very old All people gather on a very old farmfarm
The carved The carved watermelons contestwatermelons contest
Artists at work…Artists at work…
Artists compete to carve out the Artists compete to carve out the best sculpture!best sculpture!
The event takes place in The event takes place in Summer at a facility by the Summer at a facility by the
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