On May 9, 1087, 62 sailors stole the relics of Saint Nicholas (San Nicola) from Mira (Minor Asia, today Turkey) and brought them to Bari, where they arrived in 1089. They decided to purloin the relics because they would attract and influx of pilgrims (and the influx of cash pilgrims bring). The city had suffered economically ever since being seized by the Normans.

As legend has it, San Nicola is remembered for his miracles and also for having slapped Ario (the Father of Arianism) during the Nicean Council in 325. He is worshipped by Catholics and other Christian denominations as a symbol of the reconciliation between East and West Europe. He is also known, mostly by children, to be the original Santa Claus that brings gifts during the night between the 25th and the 26th of December.

 

Now, almost a millennium later, each year, starting in the beginning of May, thousands of pilgrims come to Bari from all over the world to give thanks and worship at the tomb of San Nicola. The old town center near the Basilica of San Nicola is full of lights and if you walk around the city in the days before the celebration, you are able to feel a sort of excitement! This kind of atmosphere is also encouraged by the little medieval craft markets near the Basilica where local artisans, dressed in costumes, sell their hand-made products.

 

La Festa di San Nicola starts on May 7th with a historical parade of San Nicola that is staged on the streets of the Old Town of Bari. Many people, among them pilgrims, tourists, young and less young people, rush to see the famous parade.

The second day, on the 8th of May, la Festa becomes a blend of religion and folklore because thousands of people wait to admire a show by the acrobatic team of the Air Force. Then, after the traditional fireworks, there is the Solemn Mass at the San Nicola Pier that anticipates the benediction of the sea and the shipment of the Statue of San Nicola.

May 9, the final day of the core festivities, is given over to religious services celebrating the anniversary of San Nicola’s arrival in Bari. After the last Mass, thousands of revelers take to the streets and the skies above become a blank canvas for the poly-chromatic fireworks.

Posted by Silvia Volpe