Palio dei Normanni in Piazza Armerina
Vincenzo Fileccia - CC2.0
The Palio dei Normanni in Piazza Armerina is the most impressive historical re-enactment of southern Italy . It takes place every year from 12 to 14 August, in the splendid setting of the historic center, on the occasion of the celebrations of the Madonna delle Vittorie, protector of the city.
The re-enactment, through the figures of ladies, knights , troops and militias, narrates the enterprise that the Normans carried out in Sicily in 1060, when Ruggero d'Altavilla, brother of Roberto, known as Guiscardo, drove from these lands the Saracens who had occupied Sicily for about 150 years.
On August 12, the celebrations begin with the handover ceremony by the Grand Magistrate, representative of the judiciary and government of the city, arms and the public Ban to the Auctioneer of Plutia to the Knights jousters of the four districts of the city, Monte - Castellina - Canali and Casalotto. Once the handover ceremony is over, the entire historical procession goes to the Cathedral Basilica for the religious ceremony of the blessing of the Jousting Knights and the Quarters. At the end of the religious ceremony, the historical procession withdraws to the lodges of the San Pietro district.
On August 13, the re-enactment of the triumphal entry of the Norman troops into the city takes place. A large procession made up of militias on foot, the Norman cavalry and Count Roger with the papal banner of “Maria Santissima delle Vittorie”, make their solemn entry into the city from Porta Castellina, where along the main streets they reach the Cathedral square. In the square, amidst the blare of trumpets and roll of drums, Count Roger is welcomed by the representatives of the city: the Prior with the District Magistrate, the Notables, the Ladies, the Grand Magistrate with the Grand Lady and the jousting Knights of the four historic districts . In the churchyard of the Cathedral Basilica the Grand Magistrate preceded by the pages, the Master of Ceremonies and the Auctioneer, symbolically gives the keys of Plutia. After the ceremony, the entire procession is reassembled and, crossing the main streets of the historic center, retires to the lodges of the San Pietro district.
Day 14 August, the medieval tournament “La Quintana del Saracino” takes place at Campo S. Ippolito, which consists of a series of skill tests between the jousting Knights of the four historic districts. Count Ruggero and the city dignitaries attend the race, with their sumptuous period clothes. The team of the neighborhood that achieves the highest score in the tests is awarded the Palio, a copy of the papal banner depicting “Maria SS. delle Vittorie "which will be kept for the whole year in the parish of the neighborhood. At the end the entire procession is recomposed and, crossing the main streets, brings the banner and the winners to the city in triumph.
The re-enactment, through the figures of ladies, knights , troops and militias, narrates the enterprise that the Normans carried out in Sicily in 1060, when Ruggero d'Altavilla, brother of Roberto, known as Guiscardo, drove from these lands the Saracens who had occupied Sicily for about 150 years.
On August 12, the celebrations begin with the handover ceremony by the Grand Magistrate, representative of the judiciary and government of the city, arms and the public Ban to the Auctioneer of Plutia to the Knights jousters of the four districts of the city, Monte - Castellina - Canali and Casalotto. Once the handover ceremony is over, the entire historical procession goes to the Cathedral Basilica for the religious ceremony of the blessing of the Jousting Knights and the Quarters. At the end of the religious ceremony, the historical procession withdraws to the lodges of the San Pietro district.
On August 13, the re-enactment of the triumphal entry of the Norman troops into the city takes place. A large procession made up of militias on foot, the Norman cavalry and Count Roger with the papal banner of “Maria Santissima delle Vittorie”, make their solemn entry into the city from Porta Castellina, where along the main streets they reach the Cathedral square. In the square, amidst the blare of trumpets and roll of drums, Count Roger is welcomed by the representatives of the city: the Prior with the District Magistrate, the Notables, the Ladies, the Grand Magistrate with the Grand Lady and the jousting Knights of the four historic districts . In the churchyard of the Cathedral Basilica the Grand Magistrate preceded by the pages, the Master of Ceremonies and the Auctioneer, symbolically gives the keys of Plutia. After the ceremony, the entire procession is reassembled and, crossing the main streets of the historic center, retires to the lodges of the San Pietro district.
Day 14 August, the medieval tournament “La Quintana del Saracino” takes place at Campo S. Ippolito, which consists of a series of skill tests between the jousting Knights of the four historic districts. Count Ruggero and the city dignitaries attend the race, with their sumptuous period clothes. The team of the neighborhood that achieves the highest score in the tests is awarded the Palio, a copy of the papal banner depicting “Maria SS. delle Vittorie "which will be kept for the whole year in the parish of the neighborhood. At the end the entire procession is recomposed and, crossing the main streets, brings the banner and the winners to the city in triumph.
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