One of the oldest Carnivals in Europe is celebrated in Puglia-ghimpresaturistica, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The month of February comes alive and with it all the celebrations concerning the Carnival. Even where there is no real tradition, in fact, between next Sunday and the following we will celebrate in masks. Let’s go and discover a small town in Puglia, little known to the general public, which, every year, stages a very special Carnival.
It won’t be Cento, nor Viareggio. Nor Venice or Fano, but the fact that it is not a particularly famous municipality does not mean that it is not charming. Indeed, if anything, it is quite the opposite. Belonging to metropolitan city of Bari, Putignano it is a lovely place to celebrate one of the Oldest Carnivals in Europe. Not only that, because its territory hides some priceless pearls.
25,000 inhabitants, right in the center of the Murgia, in a hilly position with natural terraces overlooking the surrounding nature. There karst rock is one of the emblems of this town which is 30 kilometers from the center of Bari Carnival starts on the 26th of December! With the party of Saint Stephen Martyrwhose relic is kept inside the Church of Santa Maria La Greca. A splendid structure with a Baroque facade, which also houses other valuable works, such as the icon of the Byzantine Madonna.
Piazza Plebiscito is the beating heart of this Comune-Sailko, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
What to see in Putignano in Puglia
Very impressive is the karst cave that houses the Underground church of San Michele Arcangelo, which is only 3 kilometers from the historic center. It is thought to have been built in 591 after Christ thanks to the will of Pope Saint Gregory. A truly extraordinary setting which is also home to a statue of the Virgin and Child attributed to Stephen of Putignanoone of the leading sculptors of the Italian Renaissance.
Plebiscite Square it is the beating heart of this Municipality. On it overlook the mother church dedicated to St. PeterThe Palazzo Baliancient residence of the Knights of Malta, and the Seat. A historic building that has been the seat of the city government for many, many years. Just outside the centre, a visit to the Church of San Domenicobut, above all, that at the Trullo cave. One of the most beautiful places in all of Puglia. Millennial stalagmites and stalactites, plays of light on spectacular limestone inflorescences. The nature of karst rock shaped by water.
The Grotta del Trullo is one of the most beautiful places in all of Puglia-Ivan Ruggiero, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
One of the oldest Carnivals in Europe is celebrated in Puglia, we all go to Putignano
Then in February, Putignano turns into a sort of toyland, with the Carnival celebrations. A party that begins the day after Christmas and almost reaches the Ides of March. With the Thursday as a symbolic day of the week. The one in which the various categories to which the citizens of Putignano belong are celebrated. Up to the highlight, the one dedicated to married peoplekindly calls Cuckolds.
This year will fall the February 16th and it will be a day dedicated to the election of the “Grand Cuckold of the Year”, among the leading figures of the Italian star system. In reality, in fact, the term cuckold does not refer only to betrayal but to people with great skills and strong merits. Tradition and goliardia they mingle in a party that has not only masks and floats among its particularities. One of the oldest and most folkloric Carnivals in Europe is celebrated in Puglia. Putignano, a destination that absolutely deserves a visit.
