Feast of St. Nicholas
The Saint who unites millions of faithful all over the world: Saint Nicholas, the Patron Saint of Bari
Saint Nicholas , to whom the people of Bari are very attached, is the patron saint of the city of Bari.
Protector of children, of the city of Amsterdam and also the saint who inspired the origin of the myth Santa Claus ; the feast of Saint Nicholas , celebrated twice a year, is among the most awaited moments not only of those who live in Bari but also of the many pilgrims devoted to the Saint and coming above all from Eastern countries.
We were precisely saying that the feast of Saint Nicholas is celebrated at two different times of the year and, above all, in two different ways.
December 6th is the exclusively religious where many people from Bari, Puglia and pilgrims coming mainly from Russia meet in the Basilica of San Nicola (open for the occasion from dawn) and during the procession, planned in the old city , for the celebration of the Saint.
But the real feast of Saint Nicholas is the one that runs from 7 to 9 May in memory of the arrival in Bari of the relics of the Saint transported from Myra by 62 brave sailors (it was the year 1087)
The translation of the relics of the Saint is remembered and celebrated every year in an important way by dedicating the three days of May which coincide with the historical procession , the sea procession and the feast of the Bari people.
Therefore, in addition to the religious rite, there is also a civil celebration which involves the closure of a vast area of the urban center of Bari to allow the passage of one of the longest and most important historical processions in Italy and to host the many, many people from Bari, pilgrims and tourists who during the three days of celebration literally crowd the streets of the center and the seafront (morning and evening) to witness the celebrations, the fireworks and the display of the tricolor arrows.
You understood correctly, Bari is one of the few Italian cities that has the honor of hosting the tricolor arrows , as well as the National Aerobatic Team of the Air Force in honor of Saint Nicholas and the city of Bari.
This is undoubtedly one of the most exciting moments of the festival because it allows the thousands of people who took to the streets to look up and remain speechless during the display of these aircraft which includes, in the initial part of the show and at the end,
the liberation of the colored smoke to create the tricolor of the Italian flag in the sky of Bari. A unique show!
Unfortunately the display of the tricolor arrows takes place once every two years, so if you are curious to admire the traditions of Bari and reconcile them with the show of the military air force, the advice is to check the program of the feast of Saint Nicholas (you can find it easily on the internet).
In short, if you decide to come to Bari in the period of May you absolutely cannot miss the feast of Saint Nicholas, a unique opportunity to experience Bari and its traditions with different eyes, to admire the beautiful fireworks and, if you are lucky, also the tricolor arrows.
After this experience, Bari will certainly leave an even stronger impression on you, GUARANTEED.
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