Festa dei Gigli in Nola

The Festa dei Gigli is a popular Catholic festival held annually in Nola to celebrate the feast day of Saint Paolino. This event commemorates the return of Pontius Meropius Paulinus to the city from captivity by the barbarians in the first half of the 5th century.

In 2013, it was included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity under the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, along with the Macchina di Santa Rosa in Viterbo, the Varia di Palmi, and the Discesa dei Candelieri in Sassari. These events are united in the Network of the Great Shoulder-borne Processional Structures of Italy.

The story

Saint Paulinus of Nola, originally Anicius Pontius Meropius Paulinus, was born in Bordeaux in 355 AD. He lived in Barcelona with his wife Therasia, leading a monastic life. After the death of their son Celsus and his wife’s suicide, Paulinus became a priest in Barcelona.

In 409, during the invasion of Alaric I, king of the Visigoths, Paulinus sacrificed himself to free 21 citizens of Nola who had been taken hostage, offering himself in exchange for a child. He was taken into captivity but was released due to prophetic dreams experienced by Alaric. Paulinus returned to Nola in 411-412, where he was welcomed with celebrations. He died in 431.

The Festa dei Gigli in Nola commemorates Paulinus’s return. The celebrations include a procession of large wooden structures called “gigli,” which are 25 meters high and weigh over 2,500 kilograms. These structures are carried on the shoulders of the “cullatori.” Each giglio represents an ancient trade guild. The festival is held on June 22, or the following Sunday if it falls on a weekday, with a procession that lasts all day, culminating with the bishop’s blessing in Piazza Duomo.

Key Events:

• June 22: Procession of the Silver Bust of San Paolino:
  • This day marks the procession of the silver bust of Saint Paolino through the streets of Nola. It is a solemn and significant event that sets the tone for the upcoming festivities, paying homage to the saint who is central to the celebration.
• June 29: Sabato dei Comitati (Committees’ Saturday):
  • This day is dedicated to the various committees involved in organizing the festival. It is a day of preparation and final arrangements for the main events. The committees play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth execution of the festivities.
• June 30 (Sunday): Ballata dei Gigli e della Barca:
  • The highlight of the festival, the “Ballata dei Gigli e della Barca” (Dance of the Lilies and the Boat), takes place. During this event, the gigli (tall, elaborately decorated wooden structures) and the “barca” (a boat symbolizing the return of Saint Paolino) are carried through the streets by teams of “cullatori” (carriers). This spectacular procession lasts all day and showcases the community’s devotion, strength, and coordination.