Byzantine New Year in Amalfi: information and history of the event

Flag-wavers of the Amalfi procession during the celebrations of the Byzantine New Year
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Two dates to mark on the calendar: the 31 August and the 1 ° September, in particular in the night between the two days, in fact, ad Amalfi we celebrate on New Year Byzantine! A unique opportunity to relive a very important historical event for the ancient Maritime Republic with very interesting cultural events and insights.

The Byzantine New Year: a bit of history

But why is the Byzantine New Year? At the time ofEastern Roman Empire, the arrival of September 1st marked the beginning of the legal and fiscal calendar: a bit like our January 1st, to understand. It has been used since 312 AD. at the behest of Constantine.

The year "zero", that is the first day ever for this calendar, is traced back to 1 September of 5509 BC The calendar, among other things, remained in use even after the fall of Constantinople (1453), but only in some areas of Europe and was officially abandoned in 1699, after the decision of the Russian Tsar to switch to the Julian one, Peter I The Great.

The first Amalfi Byzantine New Year is dated 1 September 839.

How did the idea of ​​the celebrations come about and by whom

Around 1980 the medievalist from Amalfi Joseph Gargano had the historical intuition to recall the event of New Year Byzantine ad Amalfi. The first edition of the Byzantine New Year, however, took place only in 1999, thanks to the councilor for tourism at the time, Antonio Bottiglieri.

The theme of the party 2022

The theme chosen for this year's Byzantine New Year celebrations is that of the Historic Rural Landscape. The incredible panorama of the Amalfi Coast, which has become a Unesco World Heritage Site, has allowed a greater enhancement of the territory and has underlined (if anything were needed) the historical greatness of Amalfi.

The event has reached its 22nd edition.

The events scheduled for the celebrations of August 31 and September 1

The medieval atmosphere that will be possible to breathe during the reinterpretation of the history of Amalfi is also made possible by the numerous events that were organized on the occasion of the Byzantine New Year.

The inauguration is scheduled for August 31th inArsenal of the Republic: a study conference opens, followed by an interview with the new one Master di Amalfi civilization.

Parade with themed clothes for the Byzantine New Year celebrations

Il September 1thinstead, space for the marvelous Historical Parade, which will move from Amalfi up to the door to the churchyard of the San Salvatore de 'Birecto Chapel di atrani. Here the historical investiture of the Master in the presence ofArchbishop, monsignor Orazio Soricelli, inspired by the coronation of the dukes of Amalfi.

Il Magister of Amalfi Civilization it is a title that is conferred to a character, from Amalfi by origin or by adoption, who has particularly distinguished himself in a sector linked to the ancient medieval civilization.

Information on the Byzantine New Year

When

from 31 August 2022 to 1 September

Dove

Amalfi

Opening hours

all day on the streets of the city

Contact us

Official site

  • Where: Amalfi
  • When: from Wednesday 31 August 2022 to Thursday 01 September 2022
  • Price: the event is free
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