I'd like to thank all the little people...

These little fellows are on display inside Molfetta's Duomo, or ancient cathedral.

You can see the duomo here, here and here.

Church of St. Peter

It is difficult to get a good shot of buildings in the old town because the streets are so narrow that you can't get far enough away to get the whole structure in the frame. This is part of the Church of Saint Peter, built in 1174 and rennovated once in 1660 and again between 1750-56, when it was given its Baroque facade. It is home to an order of cloistered nuns.

This second shot gives you a good idea of some of the things blocking a straight view to the church!

Easter Sepulchres

One of the most treasured traditions of Holy Week in Molfetta is visiting the "sepulchres" on the evening of Holy Thursday. Every church in town creates its own interpretation of Christ's tomb and the streets are filled with Molfettans who walk from church to church to see them and say a prayer.

Two things are important when "doing the sepulchres." The first is that you must visit an odd number of churches: 1, 3, 5, 7, etc. The second important aspect element of the evening is to eat a "pizzaridd," which is a tuna sandwich.

I forgot my memory stick at home (how could I?!) so my husband used his cellphone to take this photo of the sepulchre at the Church of Saint Anthony in the historical center. If you look carefully, you can see a statue of Jesus on the cross inside the entryway.

Blue

A freighter glides past Molfetta Vecchia (the town's historical center) on its way into the commercial harbour.

Molfetta by Night

City Hall

Detail of the entryway into the Town Council chambers in Piazza Municipio, in the old town.

Lean on Me

...when you're not strong

And I'll be your friend

I'll help you carry on

For it won't be long

'Til I'm gonna need

Somebody to lean on

(lyrics by Bill Withers)

photo taken in Molfetta's historic center

Aerial Views of Molfetta - Molfetta Vecchia

This last aerial view is a closer look at Molfetta's historical center. This is the image that I will be leaving you with for the rest of the month, since by the time you read this post, my family and I will be on an airplane heading to the US to visit family and friends.

For photos from Wild and Wonderful West Virginia, check out my other blog Amid the Olive Trees.

Have a wonderful August...see you back here in September!

Aerial Views of Molfetta

I don't often get a chance to fly over Molfetta snapping photos on the wing, but a friend of a friend of mine does! And he was kind enough to let me post the aerial shots I'll be showing you over the next few days.

This shot shows the seafront promenade (bottom left), the regional seminary (center left), the historical center (center right) - and here you can really see how it was once an island - and the commercial and tourist harbours (upper right). You can also get a feel for how very flat the land is around here.

Via Sant'Orsola, 18

It may not look like much, but I spent 11 years of my life living behind this stone wall and lancet arch on Via Sant'Orsola. My husband did a beautiful job of creating our home in what was once a 14th century Benedictine monastery. Sounds grand, I know, but our home was basically formed of three large rooms and a loft.

Behind this arched gateway lies the only true "courtyard" in Molfetta's old town, with a beautiful stone stairway. I should show you a picture of the courtyard, but I don't really want to go back in there because I know it will be different from when we lived there. This was my first home as a newlywed, my two sons were born and lived the first years of their lives here...there are so many memories and I would like to remember the place as it was when it was ours.

So, why did we move away? Well, as glamorous and romantic as living in a piece of history may sound...it was damp and moldy! I developed a nasty allergy to mold while living there. I had repeated bouts of pneumonia and even ended up in the hospital. So, I told my husband that as beautiful as the house was...I was not willing to die for it!

Courtyard 2

This is another courtyard/entryway in Molfetta Vecchia. It is less ornate than the last one I showed you, but still has its charm and dates back to the 16th century.

Cats

How is it that cats are always able to look so dignified, now matter how humble their circumstances may be?

Unmentionable

This is the coat of arms painted on the ceiling of the entryway to the courtyard shown in yesterday's post. Each noble family had its own coat of arms, often represented in a stone carving above the main entryway to their "palazzo."

This family name cannot be spoken because locals believe that saying the name brings on bad luck. Who knows how these things get started, but once they are rooted in popular belief, they tend to stick. I have a friend whose surname is said to bring bad luck, and there is a building down on the port belonging to another noble family whose name should never be said aloud.

This phenomenon has even happened to entire towns...in that case people refer to "that town" without naming it specifically. Unfortunately, it even happens to individual people, who are reputed to cause misfortune.

In this day and age, people joke about these things, but I think that on some primordial level, many still believe.

Courtyard

This inner courtyard can be found on Via Amente in Molfetta Vecchia, the historic center of town. I took so many photos, but none came out very well. This is the best of the lot.

This building has a name, but I can't tell you because it's bad luck to say that particular name. Come back tomorrow to see the unnameable family coat of arms.

Molfettan Faces: Lullaby Design

Grazia is a local craftsperson who designs and produces one-of-a-kind costume jewelry pieces, including necklaces, bracelets and earrings. She uses semi-precious stones, modelled clay, metal and a variety of other materials.

Her shop, Lullaby Design (click on the name to go to her site), is located in Molfetta's old town on Via Morte (which translates as Death Way, but don't let that put you off!) just past the Chiesa della Morte. She can make you a piece of jewelry to order, to coordinate with a particular outfit or to suit your individual style, and she also repairs existing items.

Her prices are reasonable and she's a lot of fun. Definitely worth a visit if you happen to be in town!

Molfettan Faces - Vito

Vito is a dentist who participated with his daughter in the Bimbinbici family bike ride last Sunday. He is framed by a view of the skyline of Molfetta's historic center. (You can see the rowboat featured in yesterday's photo in the background.)

Sailboat, Rowboat

Taken just off the coast from Molfetta's historic center.

Monument to Icarus

This sculpture by southern Italian artist Antonio Paradiso met with much criticism when it was first installed on the port. It is made of three enormous blocks of granite and a Citroen 2CV squished in the middle. Its installation was quite a spectacular event, with tractor trailers and a mobile crane to lift and position the sculptural elements.

It was commissioned during the 1990s by the city as part of a convention on the history of Molfetta's old town. The sculpture is meant to represent the "weight" of history and nature and their contrast with modernity.

The people of Molfetta didn't "get" it. The people of Molfetta didn't like it. The people of Molfetta would stare at it during their Sunday walks along the port and ask, "What the $%@! is that?"

So, rather soon thereafter, the whole, very heavy thing was banished to its current location in a distant corner of town on a triangular bit of sidewalk between Via Pio La Torre and Via Salvo D'Acquisto. That's when the graffiti was added.

If, however, you happen to like large stone sculptures, I highly recommend a visit to Antonio's Sculpture Park in Matera, Basilicata. An amazing town, and Unesco World Heritage site, worth a visit for many reasons.

Another Little Bit of Christmas Cheer

This building is attached to the Church of Death, shown in yesterday's post. You can find it on Via Morte. That would be Death Street in English. When I lived in the old town my kitchen door opened onto this street.

Historic Center - Via Amente, 4

This is the Baraka Pub & Wine Bar located just down the street from the home shown in Saturday's post. I haven't been there in about 10 years, so I can't exactly recommend it from personal experience. In any case, it's nice that there are businesses in the old town.

I have been having technical difficulties both with the computer and my camera. I not only forgot to post my book photo for theme day, but I was unable to post anything at all yesterday! That's the first day I've missed since I started this blog! Anyway, things seem to be working a little bit better today...

I have received the Kreativ Blogger award from both Nobu of Funabashi Daily Cell Phone Photo and jm of Oeiras and environs daily photo. Thank you so much, both of you!

They have asked me to list six things that make me happy. So...

1. hugs and kisses from my children
2. jogging
3. taking photos
4. reading a good novel
5. talking with friends
6. chocolate chip cookies

I now happily pass this award on to six other creative bloggers, please go visit...
Takeyoshi, Tokyo City Daily Photo
Jelvistar, Port Angeles Daily Photo
Sean, kyle, texas daily photo
Alejandro, unafotopordìa
E.K. Bensah, Accra by Day & Night
Elier, Lima - Peru' Daily Photo