The Holy Wednesday, as if by magic, it seems that time has stopped in more than 500 years ago, the city is perhaps one of the most extraordinary days of the year is the day of the workers and the Captain.
With this procession come in very exceptional live the events of Holy Week, which each year manages to convey the 'whole city in a different time, in which the guilds were the center of city life.
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The event, which the world has not the same, involving the oldest professions in the city, because the name "Maestranza" is derived from the "Masters" or master craftsmen who are part and Title "Royal" in 1806 he was awarded by King Ferdinand IV of Bourbon, that gave this title because, during his visit, was impressed by the beauty of the procession. Formerly the Real Maestranza was a militia when it was abolished, however, remained alive in the form of religious organization and this particular Holy Wednesday "army" will accompany the SS. Sacrament in solemn procession through the streets of the city.
The main character of this and other days it is the captain, a man who has experienced several years of work and sacrifice, and that in this' time, becomes the representative of the people revolve around him all the manifestations of Holy Week.
Each year, several months ahead of Easter, Captain is elected by the different trades and in the same way we elect the Squire, the 'Major Bishop, the Flag and the Guards.
A long and imposing procession, made by the artisans of the city gathered in ten corporations, pulls in two wings in the hands of big candles.
The procession consists of two main routes.
The first, identified by the color black in an atmosphere of great sadness the Real Maestranza announced to the people of Jesus' death but shortly afterwards, in the cathedral, the black and white is replaced by the Real Maestranza, refreshed and full of happiness , leaves the cathedral, accompanying the SS. Sacramento, to announce the release to the city dell' uomo dalla pena del peccato.
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La mattina del Mercoledì Santo
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Sin dalle prime ore della mattina iniziano i preparativi della processione, quando i componenti della categoria che ha espresso il Capitano per quell' anno, si recano in corteo a prelevare l' alabardiere, il portabandiera, l' alfiere maggiore e lo scudiero dalle loro abitazioni; successivamente si radunano in piazza tutte le categorie per andare a rendere omaggio al Capitano presso la sua abitazione.
Per tutto il giorno l' abitazione del Capitano si riveste di an 'unusual atmosphere: the whole building is decorated with colorful ribbons and lights, many people are facing balconies, and all' interior is a bustle of people, friends, relatives and acquaintances of the Captain.
All 400 artisans who make up the Real Maestranza, lined up in front of the building.
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The "Master of Ceremonies" (one of the charges) rose to his house, and together with the family members dressed in typical dress eighteenth century Marsina with the stick from 'golden hilt (which has more than 450 years but unfortunately , to be able to enter the Vatican City, he was recently cut the tip), the cocked hat with black feather, cockade tricolor gold fringe on the belt and sword and shiny leather shoes with gold buckle, the ritual of dressing involving the ex-captains, (witness the continuity of the event), the consul general and the masters of ceremonies.
E 'tradition that the captain wishes to present the balcony, before leaving home.
All Categories expect the Captain to the street below his home and his arrival was announced by three blasts on the trumpet, it triggers the applause of those present.
The President of the Real Maestranza approaches the captain and say a special formula: "Captain, the army is deployed. The honors by reviewing" the Captain then, browse all the Real Maestranza, greeting him with a military salute. Although today the Real Maestranza is no longer a military organization, holds many small signs of the past that were in use when it was still. That greeting is not only the recognition of faculty power of Captain, but an invitation to follow in the procession, which just has to be a pilgrimage of faith.
La Real Maestranza, in procession, he went to City Hall, where the mayor give the master keys to the city. This tradition, in addition to just go back to the '80s, it contrasts with what the captain is because the keys can be made to a foreigner or a tourist, and not as a citizen and the captain, and this rite is far from 'hours in the studio.
The keys, however, has a strictly symbolic value: the captain, from that day until Easter Sunday, will be responsible for the city and wants to, inter alia, stressed the importance which the Captain.
Not every one who holds the key of the city.
Afterwards, all masters, the City Council, goes to the 'hall of the Municipal Library from where the procession. You begin to light the candles, the banner is raised to the sky, and the captain is given the crucifix veiled in black. You start to put together the parade and the sound of drums, you exit the door and from the beginning of the solemn penitential procession.
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The Procession of the Real Maestranza is one of the oldest of the 'island and the town for this' opportunity is joined in the political, religious and social.
The Procession of the Real Maestranza is one of the oldest of the 'island and the town for this' opportunity is joined in the political, religious and social.
Around 11.15 am, the front door of the library part of the procession. All the "Masters" wear gloves, tie and blacks. Preceded by a marching band, opens the 'grand parade "l' Alfiere Maggiore" che regge tra le mani lo stendardo con il simbolo della città di Caltanissetta, circondata delle figure dei Santi Protettori di ogni categoria artigiana. Due nastri neri sono legati allo stendardo in segno di lutto. La figura che lo segue è quella dello scudiero, che tiene in mano uno scudo, su cui è dipinto un Castello con tre torri, stemma della città, sempre avvolto da un nastro nero, ed una lancia; questi due segni sono il simbolo delle facoltà potestative del Capitano. Un tempo la figura dello scudiero era quella del vice - Capitano.
Lo segue un bambino, figlio di un mastro o, di solito, un parente del capitano, che porta su un prezioso cuscino le chiavi della città.
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Dietro di lui sta il capitano, che porta mestamente in mano, rivolto verso se stesso, un grande crocifisso velato di nero; anticamente, infatti, nel periodo quaresimale venivano velate le immagini sacre e solo i Crocifissi venivano scoperti il Venerdì Santo.
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La Real Maestranza è come se annunciasse al popolo che quella settimana è quella della tristezza, che Cristo muore e il mondo Cristiano è avvolto dalla Malinconia come quel Cristo è avvolto da quel nero, segno di lutto. Il Capitano è come se invitasse il popolo to regret his sin, and show the cross, not a sign of distress, but a sign of repentance and deliverance.
La Real Maestranza è come se annunciasse al popolo che quella settimana è quella della tristezza, che Cristo muore e il mondo Cristiano è avvolto dalla Malinconia come quel Cristo è avvolto da quel nero, segno di lutto. Il Capitano è come se invitasse il popolo to regret his sin, and show the cross, not a sign of distress, but a sign of repentance and deliverance.
Captain then takes care of the sin of all.
The Captain is joined by two brigades in high strength, as if to underline the 'importance of the man. Follow the Captain 's Labarde, with a spear, and the standard-bearer with the flag darkened.
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Behind parade into two wings, holding lighted candles on which is written the name of the class, the other members of the ten categories making up the Real Maestranza in strict black suit, and each category is preceded da un proprio alabardiere (le cui lance sono tutte diverse per ogni categoria) e un proprio portabandiera. È tradizione che in ogni categoria sfilino prima i giovani apprendisti, sino ad arrivare agli esperti nel mestiere, ai Consoli, ai Cerimonieri e agli ex e futuri Capitani.
Behind parade into two wings, holding lighted candles on which is written the name of the class, the other members of the ten categories making up the Real Maestranza in strict black suit, and each category is preceded da un proprio alabardiere (le cui lance sono tutte diverse per ogni categoria) e un proprio portabandiera. È tradizione che in ogni categoria sfilino prima i giovani apprendisti, sino ad arrivare agli esperti nel mestiere, ai Consoli, ai Cerimonieri e agli ex e futuri Capitani.
Dalla Biblioteca Comunale la Real Maestranza si dirige in massimo silenzio e rispetto in Cattedrale, dove c' è l' adorazione del SS. Sacramento.
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Il Capitano, essendo il rappresentante del popolo, riceve il perdono dalla pena del peccato. La cravatta e i guanti neri di ogni artigiano vengono sostituiti con quelli bianchi; è il Cerimoniere to change the captain, who also changes his socks in a closet in the sacristy crowded with photographers and camera operators.
Il Capitano, essendo il rappresentante del popolo, riceve il perdono dalla pena del peccato. La cravatta e i guanti neri di ogni artigiano vengono sostituiti con quelli bianchi; è il Cerimoniere to change the captain, who also changes his socks in a closet in the sacristy crowded with photographers and camera operators.
The banner, the shield and spears are freed by the ribbons of dark and replaced with white flags in celebration unfold, so you can see the effigies of patron saints.
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la Real Maestranza at noon, in a joyful atmosphere changed completely, leaves the Cathedral to the joyful sound of bells and the beat lively, impressive and relentless drums, accompanying the SS. Sacramento led by Bishop a monstrance d 'oro which is carved the figure of St. Michael the Archangel (patron saint of the city), under a canopy, preceded by two censers of incense.
The SS. Sacramento is definitely not the last in order of 'importance, indeed, it is as if the parade would protect standogli behind. All the Real Maestranza is as if "opened the way" to the passage of the Eucharist.
The job of captain, being the representative of the people, this time is different, it seems that headed the procession, with his happy eyes, listing the people that Jesus is now the captain, that 'man, thanks to his martyrdom, is freed from sin and the 'Eucharist, solemnly brought testifies proprio questo. Ora partecipano alla processione, il Capitolo cattedrale, le confraternite, il seminario e le massime autorità cittadine.
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Adesso c'è un tripudio di bandiere festanti che attraversa le vie cittadine; la folla che gremisce tutte le strade contribuisce a rendere questi momenti unici, mentre le melodie gioiose della banda musicale, in coda al corteo, trasmettono allegria e i mortaretti sparano a festa in un' esultanza di gioia.
Adesso c'è un tripudio di bandiere festanti che attraversa le vie cittadine; la folla che gremisce tutte le strade contribuisce a rendere questi momenti unici, mentre le melodie gioiose della banda musicale, in coda al corteo, trasmettono allegria e i mortaretti sparano a festa in un' esultanza di gioia.
Dopo aver percorso qualche tratto del centro storico, la Real Maestranza ritorna in cattedrale.
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After the blessing of the Bishop, the Real Maestranza melts, then to recompose in the darkness of Good Friday evening, to accompany the procession of the Lord of the city.
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the afternoon of Holy Wednesday Captain
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After the morning, the rest of the afternoon festivities will take place in the Captain's house, sitting on a beautiful chair (which is his authority for that day), in turn receives all categories gli rendono omaggio già a partire dal primo pomeriggio.
After the morning, the rest of the afternoon festivities will take place in the Captain's house, sitting on a beautiful chair (which is his authority for that day), in turn receives all categories gli rendono omaggio già a partire dal primo pomeriggio.
Arrivano in casa del Capitano anche le autorità civili e religiose della città, enti e associazioni.
Solo in tarda serata il Capitano riceverà parenti e amici a festeggiare con lui la fine di quello che è stato uno dei giorni più belli della sua vita.
Il Venerdì Santo mattina è tradizione che il Capitano renda visita agli ammalati, presso l' ospedale e qualche altra struttura sociale.
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- Testo tratto da "I Riti della Settimana Santa a Caltanissetta" di Francesco Miceli. - Foto di Walter Lo Cascio.
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