Curiosities of past editions

 

1500 - The Count of Matera, Giancarlo Tramontano, in order to give greater solemnity to the celebration of 2 July, he offered its carriage as Triumphal Chariot to use it as Virgin's throne.

1690 - With the addition of one Ducato and four Carlini, was made the first Triumphal Chariot by the carpenter Traietto Leonardo. The Chariot was later decorated by Don Leonardo Angelino.

1836 - A fire, caused by the numerous lights of colored paper, used to give light on the Civita of Matera, ruined the wooden structures of the bell tower of the Cathedral.

1842 - Mr. Chiarini, asked the coronation of the statue of the Madonna. The proposal was accepted on 14 August 1842 by the Vatican, and the ceremony took place during the first three days of July of the following year under the archdiocese of Monsignor Di Macco. The Virgin and Child were adorned with two silver crowns.

1867 - On July 2 of that year is not celebrated by the serious economic difficulties. The ceremony was held on 19 September.

1899 - The two cousins Angelo and Michele Tataranni, pyrotechnic, lose their lives because of an accident during preparations for the spectacle of fireworks.

1940 - During the Second World War the traditional Feast of July 2, does not work, you just keep living the religious functions. The festival again in 1945.

1958 - After the encirclement of car occupied by the priests of Matera, several men forced the withdrawal of some representatives from the procession. In that same year the chariot was attacked early.

1971 - The General Sardone Angelo fell from his horse and was replaced by Enzo Cappiello.

1973 - Theft of the golden crowns from statues of the Madonna in the Cathedral.

1974 - The Chariot is destroyed near the Church of San Francesco D'Assisi and, in protest, the lights are turned off.

1976 - For the first time we saw the defenders around the chariot during the evening parade. Vulgarly called 'u' vastos'r ", starting from the following year took the traditional gladiator costume with green. Many still remember them today as "green".

1980 - Around via Annunziatella, Bishop Michael Jordan fell from his horse. From the next edition, the clergy went by vintage cars.

1986 - For three years the Knights parade in several different groups, showing disagreements.

1989 - Archbishop Ennio Appignanesi celebrated the sixth centenary of Matera's Festivities.

1991 - On 27 April, Pope John Paul II, visited Matera, blessed the icon of the Madonna della Bruna, giving then a prayer.

1996 - Due to an arson, a few weeks before the festival, the traditional chariot, already in the process of decoration, was brutally destroyed. The chariot, however, was rebuilt in time to permit, without exception, the festivities.

1997 - In the district of Piccianello, shortly before the evening parade, was an attempted theft of a donkey used for pulling the chariot. The animal was recovered shortly after around via Gattini.

2000 - Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's received the Bishop Antonio Ciliberti, the Committee for the celebrations in honor of Maria della Bruna SS.ma and the Knights of Bruna, they dressed in same traditional clothes of July 2nd.

2005 - In this edition, for the defense of the Chariot took part, in addition to Law Enforcement, the Bersaglieri and Alpini.

2007 - Because of the work in the Cathedral, the route of the wagon is abbreviated and functions are held in the Church of San Francesco D'Assisi. The protection of the tank is entrusted to men of matera, which attack the chariot a hundred meters before.