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Lanciano, The
Fairs, The Mastrogiurato
Lanciano is a busy town in Abruzzo and even since Roman times
has always known how to valorise the central position it enjoys
in the Frentana area, evolving into an essential point of
reference for an extensive territory.
Subsequently, in the great mosaic that Italy became during the
Middle Ages, it acquired a leading role in the ambit of commerce
and put itself forward as a privileged location for the twice
yearly fairs (May and September) attended by merchants who came
from all over continental Europe and many Mediterranean nations In the past,
however, the roads leading to the town were few and hazardous,
transport for goods was slow and, unfortunately, subject to
brigand raids. The solution was to set up armed surveillance
along the main roads that went from the port of San Vito to
Lanciano, to assure a safe journey for those heading for the
town.
Lanciano needed to unify the powers of justice and those of
operation by electing a single representative who could manage
this authority firmly and competently during the fairs: the “Mastrogiurato”.
For the entire period of the fair this figure of authority and
his troops were the only people who could carry weapons and had
the power of immediate arrest over anyone who disturbed guests.
The lavish appointment ceremony went as follows: the elected
Mastrogiurato, dressed as befitted a figure of his rank, and
accompanied by an armed escort, entered Palazzo del Comune [town
hall] where he would be greeted by the town’s representatives,
the Royal Governor and the Captain of the garrison. After
swearing allegiance, the Mastrogiurato would receive the town
standard and the insignia of the powers conferred. The Royal
standards and those of Lanciano were then carried to the Prato
della Fiera [fairground], where they were hoisted, and after the
reading of the “Bando”, the regulations governing the fair, the
Mastrogiurato would declare it officially open.
The Historic Mastrogiurato Pageant
Since 1981, our Association has promoted the historic pageant
that re-enacts the Mastrogiurato event, which is solidly rooted
in the heart of the people of Lanciano and of all the countless
participants who flock to the ceremony and its accompanying
events.
The event falls
into a week of cultural initiatives and performances that take
place between the last Sunday in August and the first Sunday in
September, including: two medieval suppers inspired by the
Panarda (slow food), markets, taverns, ancient music concerts,
theatre, street theatre, jugglers, fighters, dancers, flag
throwers and, to close, the impressive historic cortège on the
first Sunday in September. That is the day that inaugurates the
civil celebrations for the Settembre lancianese [September in
Lanciano] with the solemn investiture of the Mastrogiurato with a
procession comprising 600 or so figures in period costume,
wending its way through the four quarters of the old centre.
The historic Mastrogiurato Pageant has obtained a number of
prestigious awards, as well as being recognised as an “event of
regional interest by the Region of Abruzzo”, and has taken part
in four RAI Italian national television programmes, of which
three were also transmitted by RAI International. It was
particularly satisfying, despite the hard work involved, to be
able to accept invitations to take part in Italian events (Rome,
Milan, Modena) and also abroad: Stuttgart, New York for the
Columbus Day parade and Visegràd in Hungary.
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