Amalfi, Chuch of San Biagio (upper left)2 February 2009
Last week it was the feast day of San Biagio (Saint Blaise) on February 3rd. Amalfi’s second largest church, which you can see in the photo above, is dedicated to this saint, and there is a long tradition of celebrations and processions. The Church of San Biagio is not open very often, and I had been told one of the few days during the year you could see it was on the feast day. So I was naturally disappointed, along with many people, to learn that the traditions had been changed this year. The statue of San Biagio was moved from the church down to the Duomo of Amalfi where the masses were held. Hopefully next year things will be back to normal. But, in the meantime, here is a taste of the celebrations on the evening of February 3rd. Below is the processional statue of San Biagio with the apse of the Duomo of Amalfi in the background.
Statue of San Biagio inside Duomo of Amalfi
Procession of San Biagio from Duomo of AmalfiIt was threatening rain, so the procession of the San Biagio statue from the Duomo to the Church of San Biagio happened quickly. Here is a short video of the statue descending the grand staircase of the Duomo:
Hello Laura I am happy to find your blog this is great!!I visit your area often as I can. My name is Chuck Aflitto, real spelling Afflitto. The Amalfi church and in the Ravello church and Saint Eustacchio ruins have my family ties.This church in amalfi is the only family crest I have not seen. My family name is located near the alter on the left.
Thanks So Much!
Ciao Chuck! Thanks for your comment! Yes, your last name Afflitto is very familiar to me since I have spent a lot of time in Scala. Your family does have a long history in the area, but especially the Pontone/ Scala area, right? I read a lot about the Pontone property and the Saint Eustacchio church in a wonderful, wonderful book by Jill Caskey called "Art and Patronage in the Medieval Mediterranean: Merchant Culture in the Region of Amalfi":
http://www.amazon.com/Art-Patronage-Medieval-Mediterranean-Merchant/dp/0521811872/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234631985&sr=8-1
(It is expensive new, but not too bad used. It is definitely worth it though!)
I will look for your family crest the next time I am in Ravello and Amalfi. And I will certainly take a photo for you of the crest in San Biagio if I ever get in there! Thanks again for your comment. Nice to meet you! Ciao ciao!
Ciao Laura, You are so kind for sending me this info!
I am aware of my family ties in Scala and Pontone do to the book you are talking about, Art and Patronage.
I have been to the Ravello church and have photos of my crest there. While visiting Amalfi, I was not aware that my family crest was in that church,I have only read about it.
I would like to thank you once again for your time and efforts, hope to keep in touch my new friend Grazie!