Church of Santo Stefano

This is what happens when you stick your camera out the window and take pictures while driving! Rather fuzzy, but these were the actual colors, the kind of amazing colors you find here in Apulia.

The church spire in the center belongs to the Church of Santo Stefano, which is the starting point of the Good Friday procession featured in yesterday's post.

Holy Week...a week late (2)

The Procession of the Five Mysteries is one of the most evocative of the several processions held during Holy Week. It begins at the Church of Santo Stefano at 3:30 a.m. on Good Friday and winds its way first through the Old Town and then around the rest of the city until noon.

Different confraternities have the honor of carrying each of the five (very heavy) statues. After the last statue, the procession is followed by the city band which plays the traditional Molfettan Funeral Marches, composed over 100 years ago.

You can't see anything in the video below, but it gives you an idea of the music.

Holy Week...a week late

Wouldn't you just know it that the two weeks I've been without internet service would have to coincide with Holy Week, one of the richest periods of religious tradition in Molfetta! In the spirit of "better late than never" I'll be posting a few photos of some of the highlights.

These photos were taken on Palm Sunday, the day on which olive branches are blessed. My parish holds a blessing ceremony in a small park a few blocks from the church and then the congregation makes a short procession from the park to the church.

During the mass, the priest and two assistants perform a reading of the story of Christ being condemned by Pontius Pilate, his crucifixion and resurrection.

Olive Tree

It's really hard to take a good picture of an olive tree. Well, I find it difficult! The leaves are so silvery and shimmery. All my photos end up looking like a silvery-green blur. I find this frustrating because olive trees are such a fundamental element in the Molfettan landscape.

I think this may be my best attempt so far.

Swimming Pool

An exterior detail of Molfetta's indoor pool.

The pool was closed this fall and many Molfettan swimmers started using the structure in Giovinazzo (the next town down the coast). Our city pool reopened in January under new management and has been working on building up its clientele. I took an acquagym exercise class here this winter and have enrolled my son in swimming lessons in the spring session. I believe in supporting local enterprise as much as possible.

You Want Color?

We got your color right here! These condominium owners were not shy when choosing the new color for their building. Bright mustard yellow and green, please!

Not included in the photo is the fact that two-thirds of the building look like this, but the last bit of the building, down to the right, is a drab brown. Obviously, that part has less adventurous owners...

Monthly Theme: Yellow

A yellow and blue fence around a green and silver olive tree grove.

The first day of every month is Theme Day in the City Daily Photo community. Click'>http://www.citydailyphoto.com/portal/themes_archive.php?tid=24">Click here to view thumbnails for all participants