Feast of the Palombella 2011

The feast of the "Palombella" of Orvieto is an historian representation for the festivity of the Pentecoste, founded in the century XV for initiative of the family of the Monaldeschi.

Originally the feast of the "Palombella"(a dove) took place inside the Cathedral but from 1845 moved to the Duomo's square, making it from the rooftops of the buildings Saracinelli and Faina. And only since 1940 the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and Our Lady from the roof of the Church of San Francesco.

At noon is the foreman of the Fabbrica del Duomo, as dictated by custom, to order with a nod, having been away from the Bishop who is on the loggia of the Palazzo dell'Opera del Duomo, which are placed in the rockets lit the back of the spokes, so that the dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit begins its descent. The white dove, with red ribbons tied to a radial, it follows, propelled by rockets, along a steel cable stretched between the lantern of the Church of San Francesco and the Upper Room, which is set in front of the door of the Cathedral. The Upper Room reproduces the design of the Shrine of San Savino and is the work of the Sienese goldsmith Ugolino di Vieri and Viva Lando.

When the "Palombella" ends its run, reaching the Upper Room "the thousand barrels catch fire," as colorfully noted one chronicler is, in fact, the outbreak of a large salvo of fireworks and head of the Virgin Mary and the Apostles, represented in prayer, turn on the red flames of the Holy Scriptures are talking about.


Program 2011:
10 am - Piazza della Repubblica - Meet the band, "Mancini L." Orvieto and bands musical guests, procession to Piazza Duomo
11.50 am - Arrival of trumpets and drums of the historical pageant with a procession of people in medieval costume with a range of local products
12 am - Piazza Duomo - Descent of PALOMBELLA, Dove representing the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles - Delivery of the Dove to the pair of newlyweds
18.30 - Piazza Duomo - Concert Band Music "L. Mancinelli" Orvieto and musical guests Bands

Info: Opera del Duomo Tel 0763.342477