La Crauce de Chelonne - Trani... la festa patronale della Croce di Colonna

La Crauce de Chelonne - Trani... the patronal feast of the Cross of Colonna

The Santo Graal of Trani opens for lunch on this occasion with pizza for lunch, an à la carte menu, and special daily offerings.

In the charming historic center of Trani... a short walk from the port and the center

SANTO GRAAL VICO SANTA MARIA 4 TRANI info and reservations 349 4297693 WhatsApp

The patronal feast in honor of the Holy Crucifix of Colonna takes place every year on May 3. According to legend, on May 3, 1480 (a particularly intense year for Puglia, as it was the year the city of Otranto was taken by the Ottoman Turks), some wrongdoers stole this precious wooden crucifix, the Cross of Colonna, from the Church of Santa Maria della Colonna. During the theft, the culprits mutilated Jesus' nose, which began to bleed. Frightened, they threw it into the sea.

The Cross of Colonna stars in a captivating procession

Today, a beautiful patronal feast is held every year on that date, during which the crucifix is carried in a procession on water and then on land, all accompanied by the solemn music of the local band and dazzling fireworks. The entire procession begins from the peninsula of Colonna, home to the church and monastery of Colonna, travels the stretch of sea in front of the port, and then through the old city. After the procession, the crucifix remains displayed in a city parish for 5 days for the benefit of citizens who wish to pay homage. Finally, the crucifix returns to the Church of Colonna, where it resides for the rest of the year.

The Church and Monastery of Colonna

The Romanesque Church and Monastery of Colonna are located on a small peninsula once adjacent to the city of Trani, and now essentially incorporated into it. Tradition holds that both the monastery and the church were built in the 11th century by the Normans. Until almost the entire Late Middle Ages, the monastery was run by monastic members of the Benedictine order from Cava dei Tirreni. However, in the 15th century, these Benedictine monks decided to abandon the monastery due to being severely distressed by continuous Saracen raids. They were succeeded by Franciscan monks.

Saracen and pirate raids did not cease, and notably, the one we mentioned earlier led to the reckless theft of the Cross of Colonna. The Franciscans inhabited the monastery of Colonna until the 19th century, protected by the Carafa family, dukes of Andria, who settled there during the summer months, effectively using the monastery as a summer residence.

As you all know, during the Napoleonic era, all ecclesiastical properties were seized, and the same fate befell the monastery, which remained uninhabited until it was decided to use it as a quarantine facility, then as barracks, and finally as a summer camp for children.

Source: https://www.laterradipuglia.it/.../trani-la-festa...