"Everything else I understand but I'm not sure why the procession required a police and paramedic presence... I can't see this getting particularly rowdy."
Adrienne, before the procession
Today we had a Cultural Experience, the likes of which has never been (and never will be) printed in the touristry pages of The Fromm: we participated in the Festa della Madonna.
According to Campotosto history, about 400 years ago on July 2 the Madonna appeared to a blind shepherd. She told the shepherd to build a church in her honour on the spot where she appeared and, in return, she would protect the town. The town built the church. Every year since, on July 2, the Campotostare (people of the town) process through the streets, carrying the likeness of the Madonna to mark the occasion of her appearance.
This is the spot where the Madonna appeared and the church was built (the church has presumably been updated since this one dates from 1872). The procession starts here... note the marching band in uniform!
According to Campotosto history, about 400 years ago on July 2 the Madonna appeared to a blind shepherd. She told the shepherd to build a church in her honour on the spot where she appeared and, in return, she would protect the town. The town built the church. Every year since, on July 2, the Campotostare (people of the town) process through the streets, carrying the likeness of the Madonna to mark the occasion of her appearance.
This is the spot where the Madonna appeared and the church was built (the church has presumably been updated since this one dates from 1872). The procession starts here... note the marching band in uniform!
Here she is, the Madonna herself. You can't see in the picture but the contraption she is sitting on has wheels (an improvement from earlier times when she used to be simply carried around town).
When the procession starts, it is led by the golden cross, followed by some women who sang songs during parts of the procession, then there is the Madonna tapestry, then the marching band, then the Madonna statue, then the priests (one of which had a loudspeaker) and then the multitudes (us).
The procession goes around the entire town and lasts for about an hour. We were told that this year the procession was truncated and that normally it is significantly longer. Given that the town is hilly and we actually had sun during the procession, we were glad for the shortened route.
Following the parade we visited the cemetery behind the same church where generations of Marco's family are buried, including Marco's great-great-grandparents, and had a wonderful lunch at Candida's.
The town is very small and many people are relatives of Marco. After lunch Marco and I went into a shop to look at pottery and the woman who owned the store pulled out the thank-you card we sent her following our wedding. It seems even I am not anonymous here!
We leave Campotosto first thing tomorrow morning. Even though the town is very picturesque, given that it has been cold and rainy for almost our entire stay we are happy to leave the mountain weather behind.
Tomorrow we are back to the ever-jaunty (and tabtastic) Tabs of Fun! See you in Ravenna!
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