The Grain of the Sepulchre

Cities

The Grain of the Sepulchre

10 Dicembre 2024

Located in the heart of the Gargano National Park - Monte Sant'Angelo is home to two World Heritage Sites protectedbyUNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation): the Longobard traces in the Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo (2011, as part of the serial site ‘The Longobards in Italy. The places of power (568-774 A.D.) and the ancient beech forests of the Umbra Forest (2017, as part of the transnational asset ‘Ancient primeval beech forests of the Carpathians and other regions of Europe’).

In addition, other important recognitions have arrived in recent years: from National Geographic, which included the Sacred Cave of the Archangel Michael among the 10 most beautiful sacred caves in the world, to Skyscanner, which included Monte Sant'Angelo among the 20 most beautiful cities in Italy; from the Apulia Region, which included the municipality in the regional list of ‘municipalities with a predominantly tourist economy and cities of art’; to the Michelin Green Guide, which awarded the historic centre the highest recognition with three stars and included it among the most beautiful villages in Italy.

Beauty travels along the white streets of the old town centre, stands the test of time in front of the majestic Norman-Swabian-Aragonese Castle, remains in your heart in the presence of the monumental façade and the Grotto of the most important sanctuary in the West dedicated to theArchangel Michael, an uninterrupted destination of pilgrimages for 1500 years.

Beauty accompanies you to the mysterious Baptistery of San Giovanni in Tumba (known as the ‘Tomb of Rotari’) and to the marvel of the Churchof Santa Maria Maggiore and its frescoes, to listening to the silence at theAbbey of Santa Maria di Pulsano and its Hermitages, to the magical Umbra Forest or along the coast of the marina.

There are numerous traditional, emotional and promotional events: from 8 May with the Michael Festival celebrating the Archangel around the world, through Holy Week - with its evocative and emotional ‘miserere and earthquake’ rites and the poignant Good Friday Procession.

From 25 June to 7 July, the two UNESCO recognitions are celebrated, passing through the great summer events until September with the Historical Procession of the Apparitions of the Archangel, the Patronal Festival on 29 September and the Procession of the Sacred Sword, the film festival dedicated to the Francigena and Micaelica routes.

Places to visit: Sanctuary and Grotto of San Michele Arcangelo, Abbey and Hermitages of Santa Maria di Pulsano, Baptistery of San Giovanni in Tumba (known as ‘Rotari's Tomb’), frescoes in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, Norman-Swabian-Aragonese Castle, TECUM Museums of the Sanctuary (Devotional, Lapidary and Longobard Crypts), MeTA - Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions of the Gargano, Umbra Forest.

The Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo (ph. Matteo Nuzziello)

Friday of the Passion

Way of the Cross at the rural Chiesetta Madonna degli Angeli

The Way of the Cross, held on Friday of the Passion, is a deeply symbolic event that involves the entire community of Monte Sant’Angelo. It takes place along the evocative Viale della Chiesetta rurale Madonna degli Angeli, located about 1 km from the town center.

The celebration will be attended by prominent figures such as the Mayor of Monte Sant’Angelo, Dr. Andrea Ciliberti, the Archbishop of Manfredonia-Vieste-San Giovanni Rotondo, S.E. Rev. Mons. Michele Castoro, and the artist Giuseppe Ricucci, making this gathering a significant moment of prayer and communion for the faithful.

-Date: April 11, 2025

-Time: 4:00 PM

-Location: Viale della Chiesetta rurale Madonna degli Angeli

Holy Thursday

Grano del Sepolcro ("lu 'rene dlu subbuleche")

On the evening of Holy Thursday, after the solemn exposition of the Eucharist, the people of Monte Sant’Angelo follow a precise itinerary through the narrow streets of the historic center, visiting the churches where the place of reposition—formerly, though incorrectly, called the "Sepulcher"—is set up. On this one night of the year, these streets come alive with people of all ages, stopping at every open church to pray. For the occasion, residents take great pride in freshly whitewashing the facades of their homes and making sure that through glass doors and illuminated entrances, their houses are visible, with the "coperta ricca" (rich cover) displayed on the marital bed. At the Chiesa di San Benedetto, the tradition of preparing "odori" continues, with fruits slowly boiled in white wine, creating a truly unique atmosphere that engages all the senses, especially the sense of smell. In this way, year after year, the ancient tradition is remembered—a reference to the aromas used to embalm the body of the Crucified Christ, which today, in a more liturgical sense, is also known as the "perfume of the Eucharist". Late at night, a long meditation takes place, recalling step by step the agony of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane before His arrest.

Prof. Ernesto Scarabino

-Date: April 17, 2025

-Time: 5:00 PM

-Location: Chiesa di San Benedetto

Good Friday

Procession of the Dead Christ

The next morning, early at Chiesa di San Benedetto, the "Mattutino delle Tenebre" (Matins of Darkness) is sung, consisting of three Nocturns followed by Lauds. This centuries-old pre-conciliar function in Latin has deep roots in the monastic traditions of Benedictine abbeys and attracts scholars and admirers from distant places. Twelve psalms are chanted, not in the classic Gregorian style, but in ancient local melodies, passed down from generation to generation among local organists. These are performed using the "prima e seconda voce" technique. Particularly moving are the Lamentations of the Prophet Jeremiah, sung by various soloists and accompanied by a perfectly functioning 18th-century pipe organ. At the end, the confratelli (brothers of the confraternity) prostrate themselves while the solemn Miserere is sung. After this, as a single candle symbolizing the death of the Redeemer is extinguished, the entire congregation produces a deep, echoing noise by striking the wooden pews, aided by the harsh sound of the "bàttole" (which are called "tròzzele" here), mimicking the upheaval of nature at the moment of Christ’s death.

The entire morning is dedicated to this deeply religious and cultural event. At dusk, from the Chiesa di San Francesco d’Assisi, home of the Confraternita della Morte, the statue of the Dead Christ is carried out in procession, followed by a massive crowd. This long procession includes statues of the Passion, the Calvary, and the confraternities wearing their distinctive hooded robes (known locally as "pappalùsce"). Women dressed in black carry the symbols of the Passion. From balconies and doorsteps, rows of red votive candles mark the route, while small altars are set up at each of the 14 Stations of the Cross, as part of the popular devotion. At each station, the procession pauses for a brief meditation, alternating prayers with the solemn funeral marches played by the town’s band. Meanwhile, from San Benedetto, the statue of the Addolorata (Our Lady of Sorrows) departs. The encounter between Mother and Son takes place in an unreal atmosphere of silence and emotion in the upper part of the town. After this, the procession continues through the newer districts and returns to San Francesco late at night, while throughout the entire Good Friday night in Monte Sant’Angelo, the red votive candles remain alight until they burn out completely.

On Easter Monday, also known as "dell’Angelo", the people of Monte Sant’Angelo make a pilgrimage to a small church three kilometers from town, located in a solitary and enchanting place, where the Madonna degli Angeli is venerated.Tradition holds that it was in this very place that the Virgin appeared to Saint Francis of Assisi while he was returning to his homeland after his historic visit to the Sanctuary of San Michele. Feeling unworthy to enter the sanctuary, he remained in long prayer on the threshold.

Prof. Ernesto Scarabino

-Date: April 18, 2025

-Time: 5:00 PM

-Location: Chiesa di San Francesco