Photo of Annalisa Romeo

Feste patronali Annual

San Gerardo in Potenza. The Parata dei Turchi

Photo of Annalisa Romeo
descrizione immagine

Luogo:Potenza (PZ)

free

Discover

Gerardo of Potenza, born in Piacenza to a family of noble origins (the Marquises Della Porta), is venerated as a saint of the Catholic Church and is the patron saint of the city of Potenza.

San Gerardo, honored on May 30th, the day of the translation of his relics, is particularly remembered for repelling the invasion of the Turks, who had arrived by navigating the Basento River, with a blinding light. This episode has become the focal point of the celebrations and is renewed each year on May 29th in his honor in the Lucanian capital, with a parade that reenacts the crucial moments of that event. Hundreds of costumed participants take part, and a large crowd enjoys the spectacle.

Three well-animated temporal frames are represented, with costumes painstakingly crafted, footwear, armories, and makeup, dating back to the 1100s, 1500s, and 1800s.

In the first frame, the entrance into the city of Count Alfonso de Guevara is reproduced, the only historical trace of the entire procession officially recognized and collected from the minutes of 1578 by the notary Giovanni Antonio Scafarelli.

The various social classes are depicted, with a large array of nobles consisting of beautiful ladies adorned in sumptuous velvet dresses, lace, and exquisite embroideries, accompanied by elegant dukes and local gentlemen, followed by knights and warriors. Additionally, there is a depiction of a young Saint Gerard, blessing everyone from the deck of his ship.

Next, the great Saracen, nicknamed “Cipollino,” is depicted in an attempt to exorcise the great fear of the invaders. He is surrounded by ranks of chained Turkish slaves and soldiers who stage fake attacks on the attendees, entertaining the children and creating an atmosphere of suspense. The third moment of the parade focuses on the sacred element: the shrine of the Saint carried on the shoulders by the young “carriers.”

The event concludes in the town hall square, where the “iaccara,” a bundle of reeds and wood about twelve meters long and approximately one meter in diameter, weighing about a ton, is carried on the shoulders by volunteers dressed in peasant costumes. It is maneuvered through the coordination of the “iaccari” led by the “capoiaccara,” who gives orders assisted by four helpers. During the Parade of the “iaccara,” a comical figure, seated astride the bundle, addresses the spectators, explaining that the “iaccara” belongs neither to those who carry it nor to those who watch it but belongs to San Gerardo.

At the end of the route, the “iaccara” is raised by arms, climbed by the “capoiaccara,” and set on fire in honor of the Patron Saint, repeating a symbolism typical of pagan rituals, particularly reminiscent of the tradition of Lucanian tree rituals. Given its considerable size and weight, safely maneuvering the “iaccara” through the city streets requires strong cohesion among the carriers, solid experience, and a strict definition of roles. The parade throughout strongly evokes tradition. It features representations of peasant and artisanal society, groups of angels, the welcoming cart, and the captains of the city’s six gates. Additionally, there are flag-wavers, musicians, fire-eaters, jugglers, and acrobats.

Days

29 May 24

30 May 24

Timetable

09:00 - 23:00

Information/To know

Location/The place

Address

Potenza, PZ, Italia

How to get there

By plane, the nearest international airports are: Bari Palese, ideal for the Jonic coast area and the province of Matera. Naples Capodichino, preferred for the Maratea coast and the province of Potenza. Lamezia Terme, to reach the Pollino National Park. By train, Trenitalia and FAL connect Potenza and Matera with Bari, Foggia, Naples, and Salerno every day, reaching the final destination with an integrated train-bus system. Several transport companies provide bus trips to and from Basilicata from Northern Italy and various foreign countries. By car, Basilicata can be reached from the North by following the Adriatic coast along the A14 Bologna-Taranto highway, and from the Tyrrhenian side by taking the A2 Autostrada del Mediterraneo. For more information, visit the Autostrade per l'Italia website. The Maratea Tourist Port (geographic coordinates 39°59'16" N - 15°42'59" E), the Marina di Policoro Tourist Port (geographic coordinates 40°12′,18 N 16°44′,06 E), and the Argonauts Tourist Port (geographic coordinates 40°20′,00 N 16°49′,05 E).

Contact form

Ask for information

Need assistance or have questions? We're here to help! Fill out the form to be contacted by one of our representatives!

Information

Agency

Municipality of Potenza