Montecorvino: the Saint and the Devil's Chair.

Come rain or shine

Why St. Albert

Like any territory, Pietramontecorvino has its genius loci. For the "pietramontecorvino people," it is surely St. Albert and Montecorvino, the pilgrimage from the thousands of colors of the palij handkerchiefs, which symbolize life, the fertility of the land and the devotion of a people! Each one of us carries this moment in our hearts, and it is with our hearts that I will try to tell you about it: legend has it that St. Albert appeared in a dream to two women from Pietra telling them that, to alleviate the oppressive drought in the fields, the Pietraioli should make a penitential pilgrimage to the ruins of the medieval town of Montecorvino, the birthplace of the saint and of which St. Albert had been bishop. So on May 16, 1889, the people of Pietra set out for Montecorvino with the statue of the saint. On their return from the prayer walk, the much-desired rain fell from the sky, and that year's harvests were the most generous ever-so much so that it is said that more wheat was harvested than straw. Since that day, May 16 has become the date of the walk, of the Saint and a day on which a strong sense of belonging prevails. What is the most beautiful moment? The arrival of the saint from the top of the archaeological site of Montecorvino: a spectacle of colors, faces and sounds that will leave your heart in your throat.

The Statue of St. Albert stands out against the Devil's Chair.

Montecorvino

Montecorvino represents the origin of what is now the Borgo di Pietramontecorvino in that it was its ancient inhabitants who, following a strong earthquake, found refuge in Pietra. This is why the small town today has that name. Montecorvino for us Pietraioli also represents the place of the Saint, the place of worship and belonging, and is in fact the destination of the pilgrimage in honor of our patron saint Saint Albert, Bishop of Montecorvino.

The Devil's Chair

The Palij and the Devil's Chair.

The special feature of this event so heartfelt by the community is that of the "Palji" or tree trunks that can reach 20 meters in height, tied by 4 ropes and covered with colored handkerchiefs that accompany the Saint throughout the pilgrimage. These Paljj symbolize the ear of wheat, the good harvest and thanksgiving for the miracle that took place, although there is another current of thought which believes that these Palji have a phallic meaning instead. Another curiosity is the name given to the tower of Montecorvino, namely "Devil's Chair." The reason comes from the shape that the tower has taken after various decays; looking at it, in fact, it has the appearance of a large seat and given its unusual size it is attributed to the Devil. Moreover, being a pilgrimage destination it is believed that the Devil tempts the Saints, so all the more reason that it has retained this appellation for many centuries.