The Days of San Paolino – Lucca celebrates its Patron Saint

For “I Giorni di San Paolino“, the patron saint of Lucca, the Town Council has organised a series of events attended by all the civil and religious authorities, and historical groups of the town.

The programme runs for about a month with the main event held on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July, in locations places around the town.

Programme:

Saturday 11 July:

• San Frediano Platform and Dungeon: Exhibition of artillery, objects and characters in historical military costume and “at Gazzarra” shooting – open from 10am until evening and 12 July organised by Historica Lucense;

• 2nd Torte co’becchi (Beaked Cakes) Competition in the Courtyard of the ex manse of San Paolino in Piazza San Pierino at 5pm;

• Parade of the town’s historical groups from Piazzale Verdi and Via dei Borghi to Piazza San Martino – start signalled with a cannon shot at 8.45pm;

• San Paolino’s light show: historical costumes rally with over 100 people from piazza San Martino to the Basilica of San Paolino at 9.30pm;

• From the Church of San Michele to the Basilica of San Paolino: let’s walk together praising God with San Paolino at 9.15pm;

• Prayer for the town, Blessing of the Crossbow Archers with Mottetto performance in honour of San Paolino in the Basilica of San Paolino at 10.15pm.

Sunday 12 July:

• Pontifical Ceremony in the Basilica of San Paolino chaired by mons. Italo Castellani Archbishop of Lucca at 10.30am – attended by banners and mayors of the municipalities of the Archdiocese with the Mayor of Lucca, who will offer the votive candle to San Paolino and the Mayor of Pescaglia, who will offer the oil for the lamp that will burn all year in honour of San Paolino;

• Blanks shooting of the cannons of Historica Lucense in honour of the Patron Saint and in memory of the miracle of San Paolino dated 12 July 1664 – at 12pm;

• Concert of the Woodson Choir (Virginia – USA) in the Church of San Michele at 6pm;

• Crossbow Palio: traditional crossbow competition between the town’s quarters with 16th century rules in Piazza San Martino at 9pm.