Putignano, city of the Bari Murgia between trulli and caves, hosts the Carnival considered by all to be the oldest in Europe. In fact, in February the 620th edition of his famous Carnival will be held, dedicated to the historic composer Giuseppe Verdi on the bicentenary of his birth.
The parade, which unfolds along the main streets of its center, will see seven scrolls huge papier-mâché floats, all ironically and critically inspired by Verdi's famous operas:
1) "La Travagliata";
2) "LAida dynasty";
3) “Who laughs the final laugh laughs well”;
4) "Rigoletto";
5) "A masked ball";
6) "Go thinking";
7) “Go on the golden wings”.
Among the various floats there will be well 13 masked groups to ignite the party. These are groups from city schools, sports clubs, dance associations, but also groups with a social background.
The famous "Thursdays" of the Putignano Carnival, which normally start from January 17th, the day of Sant'Antonio Abate and which follow one another until the last masked course. These are themed days that weekly make fun of different social strata: it begins with the so-called "monsignors", to arrive at priests, nuns, widows, madmen, married women and end with cuckolds (the rite is famous cut of the horns).
This edition of the Carnival begins with the parade of 23 February at 11.00, continuing on March 2 at 11.00, on March 4 at 19.00 and ends on March 9 at 11.00.
THEaccess to the city is subject to charges and is valid as a parking fee: the cost is 10 euros for cars up to 9 seats and 20 euros for caravans and campers. While, a completely free shuttle service will take visitors from the industrial area to the heart of the Carnival.
Equip yourself with confetti and streamers because it is impossible to resist the madness of this Carnival, made up of real works of art in papier-mâché, music, dancing, laughter and inevitable jokes. At the end of each parade, the floats will position themselves along the main street in order to be admired and photographed by visitors. Do not miss the opportunity to also visit the historic center of Putignano, particularly characteristic, lively and above all full of events.
