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Molfetta (Bari), la città della "Madonna dei Martiri"

Molfetta

Molfetta (Bari Melfétte in dialect) is the most populous non-capital municipality north of Bari. The city, which lies 25 km north-west of the capital, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, has always had a symbiotic relationship with the sea. The territory Molfettese been inhabited since prehistoric times. At this stage go back, in fact, the most ancient settlements, cemeteries and traces of huts, found in the area surrounding the city at the archaeological site of Pulo-naturalistic, sinkhole collapse to about a mile from the city center. The origin of the city proper probably dates back to the Roman era. Some findings suggest the existence of a fishing village as early as the fourth century BC but the first official document attesting to the existence of Molfetta dates back to 925: this act refers to a "civitas" called Melfi. The original village was located on a peninsula called Andrew. The ancient village developed further under the alternate domination of the Byzantines and Lombards.

After a succession of dynasties and rulers (among which Federico II), the city has long been disputed, in the eighteenth century, by the French and Austrian until the plebiscite of 1860, which enshrined its annexation to the Kingdom of Italy .

The oldest said Sant'Andrea Island form the first town around the third century and is characterized by a unique plant herringbone: here is the Cathedral of St. Corrado, the largest church with three domes in the axis of the Romanesque crowned by two bell towers, built between the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Also in the old town is situated the baroque Church of San Pietro built on a previous Romanesque church. Note the walls to the ground remained in their path.

Immediately outside the walls stands the magnificent Cathedral dedicated to the Assumption, a former Jesuit monastery, where are placed the bones of the city's patron Saint Conrad of Bavaria.

The rites of the Holy Week of Molfetta constitute the main event which takes place in the Apulian town in the year, along with the Festival of Maria SS. Martyrs. The rituals start with the Passion Friday, prior to Palm Sunday, with the procession of Our Lady of Sorrows. Holy Thursday is marked by suggestive night procession of the Five Mysteries. The procession of Mercy of the Holy Saturday closes the penitential rites.

The feast of Our Lady, as from that distant 1846, is carried out in three days of the first week of September (7, 8, 9) and coincides with the Fair Molfetta.
The Festival in the sea, which is repeated every year with great concourse of people, including a considerable number of emigrants who returned for the occasion from all over the world in the home country.
Even today, with the crisis, the number of vessels was fearfully thinned, the privilege of being chosen for the route of the procession to the sea is a source of pride, but also of great responsibility, for the crews of the boats chosen.