(map) 
Each year during Carnevale, animated giants inhabit the streets of Putignano. These allegorical paper-maché creations are approximately 4 stories high! Very much like floats in parades the world over, they gracefully glide down the streets. Hidden Lilliputians guide the animations of these modern Gullivers, barely missing lamp posts and balconies along the route.
Each float is created with a theme that carries a social or political satirical message. One of the favorites was the float addressing the oil spill in the U.S. A diver in a dive suit of stars and stripes paddles and swims amid a very “Finding Nemo” undersea world. At the base of the float a very conspicuous cork bobbles precariously in a “British Petroleum” pipeline.
The parade is highlighted by events such as Tarantella dancing, live music, and a host of people dressed for the occasion. The event is definitely family oriented with a children’s parade during the day and plenty of lively actors and street musicians.
Putignano claims to have the oldest and longest Carnevale, its origin dating to December 26th, 1394, with the transfer of St Stefan’s relics from Monopoli to Putignano. During this transfer of the relics, it is said that local farmers formed a procession with dancing, singing and reciting rhymes, hence the beginning of the Carnevale!
Nowadays the Carnevale in Putignano begins December 26th and ends on Martedi’ Grasso (Shrove Tuesday). The end of Carnevale is marked in a unique way as “extreme unction” is administered by fake priests using a toilet bowl brush and water from a miniature toilet, “priso”. Sprinkling the crowd with “holy water” they bring a close to Carnevale as the bells of the church tolls 365 times.
While other cities such as Venice are mobbed by visitors, amazingly this parade remains off the beaten paths of pit stops for Carnevale. There is a parade each Sunday with the big parade being on Martedi Grasso (March 8th this year), so there is still time to join in the fun!
You can get more information at Carnevale di Putignano.
- Thanks to an introduction by Barbara Goldfield, we are truly pleased to have Leslie Xavier, President of the International Archaeological Society of Naples (IAS), as a guest contributor today. The IAS was founded in 1975 by a small group of individuals with a shared passion for the ancient ruins in Italy. It continues today as a forum for people with a joy for discovery and a desire to exchange and share information and experiences related to the history, archaeology and classical antiquities of Italy through workshops, lectures, tours, and round table discussions conducted by distinguished academics and experts.
Great to read about how Carnevale is celebrated elsewhere in Italy. Puglia is an amazing place, and I love how the Pugliese do things in their fashion, as per this event. Thank you for sharing this.
And this devilish figure sure looks like Berlusconi, surrounded by his nymphets! Great note!
yes Puglia is a wonderful place and the people are so gracious, they as many Italiani have a secret of enjoying yet not having. I have experienced that in many Pugliesi towns and villages. Salento is a place to go,but if you go wear the mask,go as one of the popolo,not a tourist
Welcome, Leslie. Let’s hear more about Puglia. It’s a great area.
Thank you, Barbara. I love this note and we love Puglia, too!
Great photos – really captured the excitement and the quality of the floats – wonderfully creative.
Thanks and please keep the notes coming!
Thank you all. Like the stories of Šahrazād to King Shahryar, Italy continues to enthral us all. I hope never to completely discover all her secrets.
How utterly charming! Wish I was there to join in the celebrations!
meraviglioso!