Lecce is a southern Italian city, located right within the 'heel' of the Italian boot near the Adriatic and each year, between August 24-26th, the city celebrates its patron festival and saints: St. Oronzo (the city's first bishop), as well as two of his disciples, St. Giusto and Fortunato.
As is often the case in this region of the world, the festival involves street celebrations and processions in which statues are carried by confraternities throughout the historic centre of Lecce and when we call it a festival, it is just that, a true festival. If you were to attend this festival today you would be greeted not only by religious processions, but also by music, fireworks, and the general festal decoration of the city.
One of the statues utilized during this festival is that of St. Oronzo. It is a life sized statue of the first bishop of the city (as well as a martyr) that has been made entirely in silver. The statue is of Neopolitan manufacture and is dated to the year 1794.
One of LAJ's readers, Mark Micallef Perconte Photography, recently was in Lecce and captured some beautiful images and details of the statue of St. Oronzo. As you look at them, you will note the beautiful detailing and filigree found upon the statue, most especially in relation to the sacred vestments which replicate the vegetal embroideries often found on vestments during this period; beautiful coloured stones, no doubt actual gemstones, can also be found on the mitre as well as the 'morse' that is depicted on the statue.
The statue has been designed very much in a baroque style with its sense of drama and movement, as thought we have captured an image of the saint mid-motion. It is this sense of drama that many find appealing where the baroque style is concerned.
For those of our readers who are more interested in the festival generally and would like to gain a greater sense of the occasion, here is a recording from 2015 which will certainly give you a flavour. It shows us that wonderful mix where popular piety, "cult" and "culture" all intermix; a mixture that can still yet be found in places such as the south of Italy.
As you might have noticed within the video, some of the other gilt statuary are also used during this festival which feast are equally as beautiful and worthy of a little attention. Here they are shown on display for the veneration of the faithful in the Duomo of Lecce.
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| The three patron saints |
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