Folklore of the Gargano, between religion and paganism

The Gargano is a land rich in folklore, in which to discover centuries-old traditions and customs. There are demonstrations all year round, some are linked to religious worship, others are pagan. To unite these two apparently opposite worlds there is the element of fire that accompanies many religious and secular traditions. In northern Puglia there is never a shortage of festivals, one for each typical product: from olive oil to cheese, from oranges to wine. On these occasions there are folk processions, local craft markets and musical performances. Among all these there are some annual anniversaries that are better known than others and that we have decided to tell you about on this page.

Valentine’s Day in Vico del Gargano

Vico del Gargano is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, it is famous for its expanses of citrus groves and for being named “the country of love”. In fact, for over four hundred years the patron saint of Vico del Gargano has been San Valentino. Legend has it that the Saint was chosen because his feast fell close to one of the coldest periods of the year. Just when it was necessary to protect the immense treasure of citrus fruits from the cold and frost. Every year on February 14, the statue of San Valentino is carried in procession and a rich altar is set up with oranges from the Gargano, to once again ask the saint to protect them.

The procession of the “fracchie”

Among the most significant folklore events it is impossible not to mention the procession of the “fracchie”. A tradition that takes place every year on Good Friday at San Marco in Lamis. The “fracchie” are huge torches, with dimensions that reach up to 5 or 6 meters in length. They are built starting from a trunk split lengthwise and filled with branches, wood and brushwood. At the end of this procedure a giant cone is created which will be set on fire to illuminate the procession.

In general throughout the Gargano Holy Week is deeply felt and rites that have very ancient origins are carried out. For example, on Holy Thursday in the Church of San Benedetto in Monte Sant’Angelo the ‘odors’ are still prepared, which consist of a mix of fruit slowly boiled in white wine to recall the aromas with which the body of Jesus was embalmed .

Folklore of the Carnival on the Gargano

The Gargano Carnival is actually that of Manfredonia, which attracts all the surrounding villages for the occasion. The traditional mask of the Manfredonian carnival is “Ze Pèppe” who, with his flask of wine represents the arrogant leader, the champion of loud laughter and the carnival spirit. This is also an excellent opportunity to taste the products offered by the land of the Gargano. The typical sweets of the Carnival are the “farrate”, a ricotta and wheat-based rustic. An other one is the “poperati”, from a mixture of flour, honey, cooked wine, cinnamon, cloves, lemon and orange zest prepared shape of a large tarallo.