This weekend, the people of Cortona celebrated the feast of S. Margherita, Cortona’s patron saint, and kicked off the two weeks of the Medieval Giostra dell’Archidado.
©Blogginginitaly.com
Events began Friday night with the Colata dei ceri, or the casting of the candles, a religious practice that dates back to 1325. At the time, wax was collected and used by churches for candle making and also sold as a source of income.
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
Locals dressed in traditional costumes of the time and processed into Piazza Repubblica accompanied by drummers and flag bearers.
©Blogginginitaly.com
S. Margherita was eventually led into the piazza
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
and a few events from her life were reenacted.
©Blogginginitaly.com
If you look closely in the pink part of the photo, you will see a headsman or executioner. After Margherita was willing to sacrifice her life in place a convicted criminal, her followers cried out, “She is a saint!” and the criminal’s life was spared.
©Blogginginitaly.com
Saturday was the Offerta dei ceri or the offering of the candles. Large candles were carried into the piazza and blessed by the bishop.
©Blogginginitaly.com
Each quartiere or neighborhood of Cortona was represented in a procession that portrayed nobility, religious and workers of the time.
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
Following the blessings, the flag bearers delighted the crowds with their skills.
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
Then the candles were taken to the Basilica of Santa Margherita.
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
On Sunday morning, several masses were held at the Basilica. We walked up Via Santa Croce…
©Blogginginitaly.com
where beautiful mosaics of the stations of the cross are built into the wall.
©Blogginginitaly.com
S. Margherita died in 1297 in a room behind the old church where she had lived the last years of her life. Over the years, the beautiful Basilica of Santa Margherita was rebuilt in her honor.
©Blogginginitaly.com
Her body is preserved in a silver casket on the altar. She was canonized by Pope Benedict XIII on 16 May 1728.
©Blogginginitaly.com
On my way out of the Basilica, I turned once again to admire its beauty, said one more quick prayer, and as I headed toward the door, a gust of wind blew it open. Really.
©Blogginginitaly.com
Such a wonderful weekend and such an interesting way to understand and celebrate this important part of Cortona’s history.
Ciao,
Judy
Blogging In Italy 