““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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