During the Byzantine age the administrative year of the ancient Amalfi Seafaring Republic started on the 1st of September, this is the reason why this date is called and remembered as the Byzantine New Year’s Day.
From 1999 the Amalfi municipality organizes a historical reconstruction of the striking ordination of the Amalfi Duke who was the law keeper and arbiter. For this reason every year this qualification is given to a Law Master of our age: the judicial power was, in fact, the main symbol of the Amalfi republican aristocracy.
Many Medieval shows are arranged in Amalfi to celebrate this date including also a parade in costume made up by 60 participants. However the most important moment of this event will be the Duke ordination ceremony that will take place in such a striking place as Atrani and, more exactly, in the entrance hall of the Cappella Palatina di San Salvatore de Birecto . The ordination will be followed by the historical parade that will reach Amalfi.
The Duke ordination ceremony
The Byzantine New Year’s Day event represents one of the most important historical reconstructions in Campania and absolutely the most important one in the Costiera Amalfitana. This historical reenactment, in fact, recalls facts, happenings and problems typical of that period in which Amalfi dominated the Mediterranean Sea.
During this 2 days event you will enjoy medieval games as the “Fight” between two contestants armed with sticks and placed on a floating platform; the “Palio” that also concerns water games involving the Amalfi districts, the “Tiro con l’arco” (“Bow shooting”), the “Tiro con la fune” (“Pull Rope Fight”) and the medieval treasure hunt. All these games will be accompaigned by meetings, theatrical and musical performances.
The celebration of the Byzantine New Year’s Day is an ancient tradition that involves every year not only all the inhabitants but also many tourists that are fascinated by the unique spectacle offered by such a charming city as Amalfi
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