Between history and tradition, the bell tower of the Carmine is on fire

An ancient tradition that is renewed over the centuries. Tuesday, July 14, at 22, is staged in Naples on traditional rite of the fire of the bell tower of the Carmine. The initiative is part of the events organized in honor of the celebration of Madonna del Carmine. The last in order of time during the period dedicated to the Mother of the Lord, but surely the most exciting and engaging. It seems that the rite has traditions related to the time of Masaniello (XVII century), when it was the custom to fake an attack on a small wooden fort built in the Market Square, in memory of an ancient Saracen assault the fortresses of Partenope.

It seems that in more than one occasion just the hero fishmonger Vico Rotto has played as a boy, one of the leaders in charge of the lazzari the assault on the fort. The chronicles tell that its historic revolt began during their preparations for the celebration of Carmine then spreading throughout Naples. The fire has been perpetuated since then through a spectacular play of colors made with the fireworks that wrap up at the top of the bell tower 75 meters high. The first rocket, once ignited, it gives off the flurry of explosions and colors, and is called ‘sorece or (Neapolitan Mouse) as plane arrives at the bell through a long wire running from an adjoining terrace. Imagine then a square brightly lit by fireworks that cinturano the tower. And at the height of the fire, a bright star rise to the top almost as if to symbolically take, from the same terrace, the image of the Virgin Mary: she is, in fact, going up to the bell tower, then tap the task of taming and then to extinguish the flames, simulating in this way, his constant intervention to protect the city and all the people of Naples.

Thousands of people flock to the Market Square and at the end of the show, await the opening of the church in procession to enter and thank the heavenly mother kneeling in front of the picture with the votive image of the Virgin behind the high altar. Customs, folklore and devotion, all in an event not to be missed.