A grand historical reenactment in the ancient center of Naples involving reenactment associations from all over the Center-South with over 150 people in period costumes. A one-of-a-kind journey through time is set to transform the streets of Naples, a UNESCO World Heritage site, into an impressive open-air stage.
The initiative, now in its ninth edition, is organized as always by the "I Sedili di Napoli" Association and will take place on September 12 starting at 4:00 PM, kicking off from the historic Porta Capuana.
The Conference
Prior to this great initiative, on Friday, September 11 at 6:30 PM in the Royal Pontifical Basilica of San Giacomo degli Spagnoli, the conference “The pact between the city of Naples and San Gennaro. 1527: faith, history, and identity” will take place, featuring:
- Don Luigi Pecoraro, rector of the Basilica
- Marchese Pierluigi Sanfelice di Bagnoli, head of ceremonies of the Royal Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro
- Nicola Caracciolo di San Vito from the Polis Foundation
- Giuseppe Serroni, president of I Sedili di Napoli
The meeting will be moderated by Nicola Forte.
Poster of the conference taking place in the Royal Pontifical Basilica of San Giacomo degli Spagnoli
The Event Program
The event program is rich and varied, with a torch serving as the ideal witness to a time jump of about 1500 years, illuminating the history of Parthenope from the ancient Phretarchs to the elected members of the six Sedili.
Photo of the reenactors carrying the bust of San Gennaro in procession
The reenactors coming from all regions of the Center-South will number over 150, all in faithful Renaissance costumes, and will march in a procession in honor of the ultimate saint, escorting an artistic bust of San Gennaro through the streets of ancient Neapolis.
Image of the chivalric procession preceding the Giostra del Carusiello
But that's not all, because two very important pieces of history for the capital of the Mediterranean will be staged:
- The vow of the Sedili of 1527: reconstructing the famous signing of the notary contract between the city's elected representatives and San Gennaro for salvation from plague and war in the Duomo.
- The Triumph of Charles V (1535): the grandiose welcome reserved for Emperor Charles V on the occasion of his arrival in Naples, during which city privileges were confirmed with the Giostra del Carusiello.
The moment of the signing of the Pact between the City of Naples and San Gennaro in the Duomo
There will also be live performances such as court dances, concerts of authentic period music, both instrumental and choral, and a spectacular chivalric tournament with challenges of skill, courage, and dexterity among the champions of the Sedili.
Time and Route of the Procession
The event is scheduled to start at 4:00 PM on Saturday, September 12 from Porta Capuana, winding along:
Porta Capuana → via Muzii → via Colletta → Forcella → via San Biagio dei Librai → via San Gregorio Armeno → piazza San Gaetano → via Tribunali → Duomo di Napoli.
Access to all areas of the event, the procession route, and the Porta Capuana arena is completely free of charge.
Notes and Statements
“This reenactment is not just a costume parade, but an act of identity restitution to our city. We want Neapolitans to rediscover the greatness of their history of self-government and the hundreds of thousands of tourists present to experience a deep, visceral, and unforgettable cultural journey. Seeing horses once again at Porta Capuana, while respecting safety and monuments, will be an immense collective emotion.”
— Giuseppe Serroni, president of the I Sedili di Napoli Association
Safety and security are managed by the “Base Condor” Civil Protection Association.
Historical Reenactment Groups
- Associazione Rievocatori Storici Fantasie d’Epoca APS (Napoli)
- Associazione Pistonieri Santa Maria del Rovo (Cava de’ Tirreni)
- Compagnia d’Arme la Rosa e la Spada (Napoli)
- I Cavalieri della Pergamena Bianca (Cava de’ Tirreni)
- Corteo Storico Carlo V (San Severo)
- Timpanisti Fajanensis (Fasano)
- Gruppo Storico Sbandieratori I Farnese (Ortona)
- Associazione Passi&Note (Napoli)
- Associazione Arcobaleno Bianco (Napoli)
- Istituto Archimede (Napoli)
- Comitato Luci su Porta Capuana (Historical Figures)
- Caffè Letterario l’Identitario (Historical Figures)
The story of the Feast of the Triumph of Charles V in Renaissance music with the “Musica Reservata” ensemble.
Narrator: Lidia Ferrara; Artistic direction: Francesca Flaminio.