The days of San Paolino 2024
A figure suspended on a cloud controls a crowded and seemingly incomprehensible scene.
From the parade ground of the San Donato bastion of the Walls of Lucca, militia are firing cannon shots under the supervision of the Captain of the bombardiers.
A little farther on the captain's aide and beside the cannon two drummers and three bombardiers, a flag-bearer and a broken lance.
On the bridge that gives access to the Porta San Donato people are entering and leaving the city festively.
On the rampart elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen, young boys chasing each other, valets and dogs and some card players watch the scene without the slightest hint of apprehension.
It is the feast day of St. Paulinus, July 12 in the year 1664. The bombers are actually firing blanks to celebrate the patron saint of Lucca...so at least they think, except that in the confusion they have switched ammunition and are really firing into the crowd, but lo and behold the saint performs his miracle and no one will be offended by those shots.
The Miracle of Saint Paulinus by Lombardi Giovanni Domenico known as Omino (1682/ 1751 Ca) is one of three paintings depicting the Walls of Lucca in the various eras of construction.
Every year, in commemoration of the event, the city celebrates with religious celebrations, events and historical re-enactments, musical events, markets and neighborhood festivals.
One of the most anticipated events is the Palio della balestra, with crossbowmen from the city's tertieri, San Paolino, San Salvatore and San Martino, competing for the prize made each year by a
The days of St. Paolino 2024
July 9
8:30 pm - Piazzale Arrigoni - Parade of Flags in Honor of St. Paulinus.
July 11
8:30 pm - Basilica of St. Paulinus | Luminara di San Paolino.
Procession of historical groups along the streets of the historic center.
9 p.m. - Piazzale Arrigoni | Reading of the Announcement, blessing and performance of the companies and drawing of the order of shooting
July 12
10:30 a.m. - Basilica of St. Paulinus. Solemn Pontifical presided over by Archbishop Paolo Giulietti Archbishop of Lucca.
1 p.m. - San Donato Bastion Gunnery. Artillery gazar in commemoration of the Miracle of St. Paulinus on July 12, 1664.
9:30 pm - Piazzale Verdi/Piazza San Michele/Piazzale Arrigoni. Historical parades
10 p.m. - Piazzale Arrigoni. 50th Crossbow Palio in honor of St. Paulinus.
July 13
9:30 p.m. - Piazzale Arrigoni - St. Pauline's Parade: performances and shows by groups of flag-wavers and musicians from different cities.
July 14
5 p.m. - San Donato baluster gunnery. Artillery gazarre. artillery show to relive the miracle of July 12, 1664.
July 15.
9:30 p.m. - Casermetta San Paolino - Lucca, the routes of pilgrims and mercenaries: conference with Alessio Pisani and Daniele Zucconi who will talk about the medieval city as a crossroads of different paths.
July 8 to 15.
Paolio memorabilia: exhibition of drapes, objects and crossbows that tell the long history of the Palio di San Paolino.
July 8 to 15
5 p.m. / 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. / 11 p.m. - St. Peter's barracks
July 13 to 15
6:00 p.m. / 11:00 p.m. - casermetta San Paolino