Discover
A loud but familiar noise for those who have lived in the transhumance areas, this is the most anticipated moment of the bell procession that coincides with the feast of Sant’Antonio Abate in San Mauro Forte, Basilicata.
Groups of men wrapped in dark cloaks and wearing straw hats, reminding us of our deep roots in the earth, rhythmically shake large bells, more than a thousand, with intense and varying sounds, narrow or wide to signify female or male sexuality: an apotropaic myth that wards off misfortune, poverty, disease, and death..
The noises soften when the wanderers stop in the cellars and refreshment points set up in the village to taste good wine, fresh sausages, and other typical products derived from pig slaughtering.
The festival of the Campanacci in San Mauro Forte ends with the funeral and lamentation of the Carnival puppet, burned in the square.
Surely in the memory of your parents and grandparents, the sound of the bells has never faded, and when carnival arrives, at least the kitchen brings back those memories! You know how happy your loved ones would be, and you too, we assure you, if you decided to relive this wonderful tradition that continues to be a rite that embodies the ancient worship of the land, traditions, and love for nature.
We await you, we will lead you to discover this event but also the many other Lucanian carnivals that make the experience in Basilicata unique.
Days
12 January 24
16 January 24
From
Information/To know
Suitable for Everybody
Wheelchair accessible
Location/The place
Address
San Mauro Forte, MT, Italia
How to get there
By plane The nearest international airports are: Bari Palese, ideal for the Ionian 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 every day with Bari, Foggia, Naples, and Salerno, reaching the final destination with an integrated train-bus system. By bus Numerous transport companies operate trips to and from Basilicata from Northern Italy and various foreign countries. By Car By car, Basilicata is reached from the North by following the Adriatic coast, along the A14 Bologna-Taranto, and from the Tyrrhenian side, traveling the A2 Autostrada del Mediterraneo. For more information, visit the Autostrade per l'Italia website. By boat Maratea Tourist Port (geographic coordinates 39°59'16" N - 15°42'59" E) Marina di Policoro Tourist Port (geographic coordinates 40°12′,18 N 16°44′,06 E) Argonauts Tourist Port (geographic coordinates 40°20′,00 N 16°49′,05 E) Distances Napoli – Potenza 158 km Bari – Matera 67 km Roma – Potenza 369 km Roma – Matera 425 km
