The secular part of the procession

The secular part of the procession

Civic dignitaries immediately follow the statue. The men in elaborate costume are heralds and walk before the mayor in his tricolor sash and the principle municiple councillors and officials. Next comes the captain of the municiple guards and then the town band.

The banner of Ascoli precedes the civic dignitaries. Some of these elements (banners, heralds and dress uniforms) are a relatively recent invention of tradition, certainly post-dating Italian unification in 1861. They appear to be based upon a mixture of Neapolitan and central Italian practice. The route has also been modified through time to accommodate the changing urban structure and organisation of the town.

The band close the 'civic' section of the procession. They play brass and woodwind instruments as well as tympani. The members are mainly recruited from the teenage children of artisans. In addition to providing a relatively cheap musical education, bandsmen earn quite substantial pocket money by accompanying processions and funerals.

If the band is good enough, they may also earn money by offering concerts in Ascoli and nearby towns. The bandleader is paid an annual fee from municiple funds.

Large crowds follow the procession through the narrow streets of the old town. This photograph shows the devotees turning from the via del Duomo to climb towards the castle through the old town.

For the weeks surrounding the festival, decorative lights are put up along the processional route.

Back to main page Index

The secular part of the procession
	Civic dignitaries immediately follow the statue. The men in elaborate costume are heralds and walk before the mayor in his tricolor sash and the principle municiple councillors and officials. Next comes the captain of the municiple guards and then the town band.
The banner of Ascoli precedes the civic dignitaries. Some of these elements (banners, heralds and dress uniforms) are a relatively recent invention of tradition, certainly post-dating Italian unification in 1861. They appear to be based upon a mixture of Neapolitan and central Italian practice. The route has also been modified through time to accommodate the changing urban structure and organisation of the town.
	The band close the 'civic' section of the procession. They play brass and woodwind instruments as well as tympani. The members are mainly recruited from the teenage children of artisans. In addition to providing a relatively cheap musical education, bandsmen earn quite substantial pocket money by accompanying processions and funerals.
If the band is good enough, they may also earn money by offering concerts in Ascoli and nearby towns. The bandleader is paid an annual fee from municiple funds.
	Large crowds follow the procession through the narrow streets of the old town. This photograph shows the devotees turning from the via del Duomo to climb towards the castle through the old town.
For the weeks surrounding the festival, decorative lights are put up along the processional route.