Barra is a neighborhood of Napoli where traditions are not just told, but experienced in all their splendor. And when we talk about traditions, how can we not mention the Ballad of the Lilies? An event that smacks of ancient times, of devotion and above all of community.
Prepare yourself: on 24 and 25 September the streets will be filled with colours, sounds and gigantic obelisks.
What are Barra Lilies
For the uninitiated, the term “gigli” it could only evoke the image of a flower. But in Barra, the Lilies are colossal obelisks of wood and papier-mâché, 25 meters high, which seem to touch the sky. Carried on the shoulders with passion and effort by seven Barri associations, these mammoth obelisks are the beating heart of the festival. This is not a mere show, but about a collective ritual that blends devotion, history and a good dose of brute strength.
What is the path of the Ballad of the Lilies
The epic of the Lilies starts from Siren Course, a sort of royal avenue for these wooden rulers. From there, it winds along Via Serino, like a river of energy and vitality. But it's not over: Corso Bruno Buozzi is the next stage, ending with an epilogue in Via Luigi Martuzzi e De Franchis square. Every corner, every street is a chapter of this odyssey.
Stages of the route:
- Siren Course
- Via Serino
- Corso Bruno Buozzi
- Via Luigi Martuzzi
- De Franchis square
The days and times of the Ballad of the Lilies
One day is not enough to encompass all this greatness. The event runs from 10am on September 24th and ends only at 14pm the following day. It is a period of time in which Barra appears to suspend all other activities to dedicate himself body and soul to the Ballad. If you want to experience Barra in its most authentic essence, these are the days to circle in red on the calendar.
