2. “Palio della Mezzaluna” Palio of the Crescent

3. It is a very important event in our town also for its historical implications

4. Many among the soldiers were from Massafra, led by the bishop of Mottola, Jacopo Micheli On September 22 in 1594 a Turkish fleet reached the mouth of the Tara river, 4 km. away from Massafra. They fought the Christian troops

5. After a hard battle, an overwhelming victory

6. In order to celebrate the ventures, Massafra’s people set up the “palio”, a tournament in historical costumes

7. In 1957 the “ Palio dei Rioni “ was founded. Massafra is divided into six neighbourhoods: PappacodaImperiali Santi Medici Santa Caterina Gesù Bambino San Marco

8. The celebrations for the palio begin in the afternoon, when the six neighbourhoods are blessed in front of the Dome and swear chivalry royalty

9. In the procession knights, pageboys, armigers parade, projecting the audience in a magnificent and mysterious age

10. The knights challenge each other trying to thread their lance through a ring hanging down a tower

11. Then you can enjoy the relay race in the main streets of the town

12. The winner is the athlete who first reaches the square with the torch lit in his hand sets fire to the cracker placed in front of the main authorities of the town

13. The Carnival

14. The Carnival in Massafra has a long tradition (60 editions so far)

15. It is one of the most important in Apulia

16. It is well known as really funny

17. Every year at Carnival there is a parade of floats along the main street of the town

18. The floats are made of papier machè and take part into a competition

19. Children, young people and adults enjoy the Carnival

20. They join maskers in dance and everybody has fun

21. The official mask of Massafra’s Carnival is Gibergallo, a type of clown

22. Schools also take part in the contest with very nice groups, who perform in front of the jury

23. This is one of their permormances

24. The procession of the “Mysteries”

25. It is a long procession

26. It features 8 floats of wood and sculptures of scenes of the Passion

27. It takes place every Good Friday

28. The statues include the Dead Jesus and the Lady of Sorrows

30. Festival of grain

31. It takes place in Summer

32. All people gather on a very old farm

33. The carved watermelons contest

34. Artists at work…

35. Artists compete to carve out the best sculpture!

36. The event takes place in Summer at a facility by the sea

41. BYE GOOD BYE BYE CIAO CIAO !!!