L'originaria chiesa di santa Maria risale alla fine del X secolo. Fu poi trasformata in cimitero, che si trova oggi al di sotto dell'attuale pavimentazione del santuario.
Nel 1356 Pietro IV di Giordano Colonna affidò la parrocchia ai religiosi eremitani di Sant'Agostino. Sopra la chiesa si iniziò la costruzione di una seconda chiesa rivolta ad ovest su "via di Palazzo" (ora Corso Vannutelli) dove erano sorti i palazzi dei nobili cortigiani.
L'apparizione dell'immagine miracolata di Maria, venerata con il titolo di Buon Consiglio, segnò un momento fondamentale per la storia della chiesa: la tradizione vuole che l'immagine si sia staccata da una chiesa di Scutari in Albania, all'arrivo dei musulmani, e abbia raggiunto la chiesa di Genazzano accompagnata da una schiera di angeli durante il vespro del 25 aprile 1467. L'immagine sacra andò a posarsi su un muro della chiesa che in quel tempo la Beata Petruccia, vedova e terziaria agostiniana vissuta nella seconda metà del '400, aveva iniziato a costruire fra mille difficoltà e che venne concluso in poco tempo grazie alle elemosine dei pellegrini.
Da quel momento la piccola chiesa divenne santuario. La prodigiosa apparizione viene ricordata nel timpano del portale della chiesa dove è situato un bassorilievo con il dipinto della Madonna portato da angeli, sopra le nubi.
Il dipinto si trova nella cappella all'interno della chiesa protetto da una cancellata in ferro battuto. Non si conosce l'autore dell' affresco e nemmeno la sua collocazione storico-artistica; molteplici sono le ipotesi relative alla sua attribuzione: chi definisce l'opera come una pura opera d'arte romana e chi tardo bizantina con influssi di scuola veneta.
Maria è raffigurata con espressione dolce e malinconica, il rossore delle guance, secondo l'infiltrazione della luce, assume tonalità differenti; il bambino accosta il capo alla guancia della Madre e con il braccio le cinge il collo.
All'interno della chiesa sono custodite varie opere tra cui una balaustra marmorea attribuita al Bernini: dei putti, sopra le nuvole, sorreggono una pesante tenda e guardano verso l'alto.
Il grande organo liturgico realizzato nel 1930 domina dietro l'altare dove un tempo vi erano gli affreschi del Troia, uno raffigurante il profeta Davide, un altro raffigurante l'Immacolata, ed infine l'Assunta, ora custoditi nel museo.
Vista la enorme curiosità suscitata dall’apparizione della Santa Immagine diversi artisti vollero contribuire a rendere solenne il luogo dove la Vergine era apparsa.
Al piano terra troviamo il Museo, che conserva una notevole statua di San Giovanni Battista di Andrea Bregno, e tele di vari autori, nonché gli affreschi staccati dalla cantoria del coro all’inizio del 1900 per fare posto al magnifico organo.
Nella galleria centrale, con ballatoio semicircolare troviamo quadri che furono donati al Santuario da Leone XIII e da molti altri. Percorrendo il corridoio è possibile ammirare le splendide “pianete” datate XVI e XVII secolo, dono della famiglie nobili alla Vergine del Buon Consiglio.
In fondo alla galleria centrale si trova la campanina del 1424 che il giorno del 25 aprile annunciò a tutti che qualcosa di speciale stava accadendo. Inoltre è possibile visitare il refettorio antico che raccoglie e assomma gli interventi settecenteschi dei maestri mobilieri Raffaele Gonnella e Figlio, nonché lo splendido affresco di Taddeo Conza raffigurante la moltiplicazione dei pani e dei pesci.
Moltissimi Papi lungo i secoli hanno dimostrato una particolare attenzione verso il Santuario di Genazzano e tra questi Urbano VIII, Pio IX, Giovanni XXIII e Giovanni Paolo II vi si recarono anche in pellegrinaggio.
The original church of St. Maria dates from the late 10th century. It was later transformed into a cemetery, which is now below the current floor of the sanctuary.
In 1356, Pietro IV of Giordano Colonna entrusted the parish to the religious Hermits of Sant’Agostino who had the monastery of St. Francesco outside the town walls since 1278; this collapsed in the 16th century due to neglection.
Above the church began the construction of a second church facing west on "via di Palazzo" (now Corso Vannutelli) where the palaces of noble courtiers were.
The appearance of the miraculous image of Maria, venerated under the title of Buon Consiglio (Good Counsel), marked a pivotal moment in the history of the church. Tradition has it that the image detached from a church of Scutari in Albania at the arrival of the Muslims, and reached the church of Genazzano accompanied by a host of angels during the evening of April 25, 1467. The sacred image came to rest on a wall of the church that the Blessed Petruccia, widow and terziaria Agostiniana, which lived in the second half of 1400s, had begun to build with difficulty but was completed in a short time thanks to the charity of the pilgrims.
From that moment the little church became a sanctuary. The miraculous apparition is mentioned in the tympanum of the portal of the church where there is a bas-relief with the painting of the Madonna brought by the angels, above the clouds.
The painting is in the chapel, protected by a wrought iron gate. The author of the fresco and its placement in an artistical-historical period is unknown; however, there are many assumptions relating to its attribution: some consider the work as pure Roman Art while others consider it late Byzantine with influences of Venetian school.
Mary is pictured with a sweet and melancholic expression. The redness of the cheeks, depending on the light, takes on different shades. The child’s head leans on the Mother’s cheek with his arm around her neck.
Between 1621 and 1624 the church was enlarged; someone suggested to mark the wall on which the Holy Image was and to place it on the main altar to give it more importance. The proposal was rejected because the sacred image was to remain in the same place that Our Lady had chosen.
Inside the church there are several works, including a marble balustrade attributed to Bernini, two cherubs above the clouds holding up a heavy curtain and looking upward. The two central cherubs seem burdened by the deed.
The masterpiece is presumed to be born in the Sanctuary, but history belies: initially built to be placed in the church of Santa Maria in Posterula, in Rome, the balustrade was successfully moved and brought to Genazzano in the church of San Pio. Since this was meant to be open only during the summer, the work was then transferred back to the Sanctuary.
The great church organ built in 1930 dominates behind the altar where once there were the frescoes of Troy: one depicting the prophet David, another depicting the Immaculate Conception, and finally the Assumption, now kept in the museum.
Convent
The medieval building of the church can be seen in front of Corso Cardinali Vannutelli. The church appears to be present among the first legal documents in 1277. Observing the wall on the Corso Cardinali Vannutelli you can’t miss the structure of the portal, the mullioned windows and the rose window that indicates the exact position of the ancient church.
From 1356, the year of arrival of the Augustinian friars, the church had continuous upgrading, maintenance and recovery. The generosity of Petruccia brought the work in well underway, though not completed. It was only in April 25, 1467, when the Holy Image arrived, that the work was resumed. The main door was made in the style of 1400’s in Carrara marble and moved to its current location only in 1621.
Given the enormous curiosity aroused by the appearance of the Holy Image, several artists wanted to help in making the place where the Virgin had appeared solemn. Contemporary to Bregno, another great Italian artist of the 1400’s, Mino da Fiesole, made for the church of Genazzano a beautiful marble picturing Madonna, now placed over the baptismal font.
In the following years, the succession of good intentions and beautiful works of art required the stop of chaotic growth of the Church of Santa Maria. In 1621, the Augustinian Order authorized the work of rebuilding and enlargement of the church, which was described as deformed and badly ordered, without any light.
The work started in that period, but ended more than a century later. Various projects were carried out from time to time with care and reason. The chapels were demolished without any real overall design. For the first time in Genazzano (and in the Papal State) the project of an East-directed church was changed to design a North-directed church to better exploit the wider size towards the square in front of it. From the main nave three aisles were created, taking care to not touch the altar of the Madonna and the altar of the Crucifix.
The crypt beneath the present basilica was partially sacrificed to carry out the work of the foundation of the superior pillars. In the 40 years preceding 1667, the new bell tower (the one that currently stands) was built and the first construction of the adjoining convent of three floors began. The convent was destined to remain unfinished until the Prior General of the Augustinian Order, Francesco Saverio Vasquez, gave a real boost to the work. The high-quality solid structures were the creation of the architect Nicola Fagioli; these were expanded in 1900 thanks to the generosity of Pope Leone XIII.
On the ground floor there is the Museum built in 1974. It was built on the second centenary of the birth of Blessed Stefano Bellesini
In the first hall we find a remarkable statue of St. Giovanni Battista made by Andrea Bregno, and paintings of various artists, as well as the frescoes, which were removed from the choirs in the early 1900s to make way to the magnificent organ.
In the central semi-circular gallery there are paintings that were donated to the shrine by Pope Leone XIII and many others. Along the corridor, you can admire the beautiful "chasubles" dated from the 16th and 17th centuries, gifts of the noble families to Our Lady of Good Counsel for important occasions and weddings. In the large paintings, many testimonials of gratitude expressed to the Virgin Mother of Good Counsel "PGR - Per Grazia Receipt" can be seen. Halfway through the same corridor you can visit the souvenirs hall, where there are the most beautiful reproductions of the Holy Image.
Central Gallery Museum
On the right of the central gallery you can find the little bell dating from 1424. On April 25, 1424 that bell announced to everyone that something special was happening. You can also visit the ancient refectory, which collects the furniture work from the 1700’s of the Masters Raffaele Gonnella and Son, as well as the beautiful fresco by Taddeo Conza depicting the multiplication of the loaves and fish.
This last is very important for the proper dating and historiography of the events in the construction of the "Augustinian Upper Room" in Rome. In fact, the hall of the refectory designed by Vanvitelli is inspired by this refectory and copies its framework and fresco.
Turning back towards St. Giovanni del Bregno, heading for the statue of the Virgin, on the right there are the access stairs to the rooms of the Blessed Stefano Bellesini. Seeing the room where the Blessed Stefano died one can not but think at the noble example of this Augustinian priest who lost his life in the service of his brothers to reunite himself with God. The two upper floors are home to the private rooms of the friars, the kitchen, the apartments of the nuns, and the Vasqueziana Library.
In 1900 the addition of a fourth floor served as a space for the orphans. Since 1960, the floor no longer serves its original function and today is available to religious occasions. There is a community project to build a small area for acceptance and prayer for 10/15 people.
Pilgrim Popes in the Sanctuary
Through the centuries, different Popes have shown a particular attention to the Sanctury of Genazzano even though, during their reign they did not go on pilgrimages as did Urbano VIII, Pio IX, Giovanni XXIII, and Giovanni Paolo II. They were attracted by the fame of the sanctuary that drew crowds of pilgrims, and the wonders that were said to have taken place there. Some of the Popes were:
Paolo II - in 1467 sent two bishops to Genazzano to carefully examine the situation and to evaluate the authenticity of the events for which "the whole of Italy was moved and from countries and cities they made their way to Genazzano" (Coriolano 1481)
Sisto IV – in June 15, 1475 confirmed the donation of the church of Santa Maria to the Augustinians following the will of the lord of Genazzano, Pietro Giordano Colonna.
Alessandro VI - having heard that unknown people had looted the monastery of the annex Sanctuary, issued a bill of excommunication on May 15, 1502.
Gregorio XII - had granted indulgence to the souls in purgatory for which it is celebrated a Mass at the altar of the Madonna
Innocenzo XI – in November 17, 1682 ordered that the Virgin Mary was crowned with a double golden crown. The Pontiff motivated this decision by stating: "having received the report of the wonderful things that God has deigned and deigns to operate through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the church of Santa Maria of Genazzano, the Chapter of St. Pietro in Vatican established to crown the image with solemn rite."
Clemente XII has granted a plenary indulgence on the feast of the apparition (April 25 to the devotees’ visitors of the Sanctuary).
Benedict XIV with a short " Iniunctae Nobis " of July 2, 1753 approved the Pia Unione of Our Lady of Good Counsel . ( In 1790 there were 190,000 members )
Leone XIII - “was no longer in power to visit the Sanctuary. If he would have been there is no doubt we would have seen another pilgrimage of a Vicar of Christ to the altar of the Mother of Good Counsel, to which he felt deeply devoted. The Reverend Monsignore Guglielmo Pifferi, sacristan of His Holiness and Parish of the Vatican said to have seen Leone XIII absorbed in prayer before the copy of the sacred image of Genazzano, which dominates the main altar of the Paolina Chapel, erected in his honour by the affectionate care of Pio IX” (written by Monsignor Georgio Dillon in 1893 in The Virgin Mother of Good Counsel). The inability to go personally to Genazzano has not stopped the Pope enhancing the décor of the sanctuary and promoting worldwide his devotion to the Mother of Good Counsel. The zeal of the Pope leads him to:
- in 1884 to approve the new Officio with the Mass for the Feast of 25 April;
- in 1892 to grant the scapular with the indulgences that he himself received;
- March 17, 1903 to raise the Sanctuary to be a Minor Basilica;
- April 22, 1903 to order that in the Litany of Loreto, after the invocation "Mater admirabilis" were added the words "Mater Boni Consili”.
The first visit by a pontiff to Genazzano is that of Urbano VIII on October 21, 1630. Here is a testimony: "the year 1630, while I was not yet a priest but I was living in the convent, came to visit the glorious Virgin to implore help against the plague, which at that time had begun to furiously depopulate in Italy the Pope Urbano VIII and many Cardinals, and Princes, and Lords; I saw that good Pope, after celebrating mass, while he was kneeling on the altar of Mary, weeping bitterly" (P. Torelli, Lives of the Homini and the Distinguished Women in Holiness, Bologna, 1647, pg 353).
The second is that of Pio IX on August 15, 1864 - an important event as the Holy Father gave the impetus to the completion of the work of beautification of the interior of the church that had been stopped because of an appeal. Here are some extracts from the story: " [...] It was the day August 15, 1864, feast of the Assumption of the Virgin and the Holy Father departed from his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, accompanied by the noble Anticamera, by Monsignor Marinelli Sagrista Pontificio, and other prelates, were the first ones to travel the new road, which from Genazzano leads to the railway station of Valmontone [...] the entrance and the halls of the building where the Pope entered had been beautifully decorated [...] in one of these the throne had been prepared; there, the Holy Father dressed the pontifical clothes and went out on the balcony overlooking the garden. He gave a solemn pontifical blessing to the many thousands of people [...] this visit of the Holy Father to the church and its comments about the work of decoration remained pending [...] Cardinal Amat said a few words of censure [...] but the Holy Father immediately refuted by saying that the good or bad effect depended on the finished work, which it is not possible to judge at the current state, but which seemed to him that would have made a nice effect when finished [...] "
Another visit is that of Giovanni XXIII on August 25, 1959. Unlike the two previous visits, the Pope had decided that his visit to Our Lady of Good Counsel was to take place without any entourage and without public demonstrations of any kind. Perhaps, he was convinced that his visit would have gone unnoticed. But the Holy Father did not consider that news of this kind would not remain private. Here are some parts of the news that the Osservatore Romano published the following day: [...] The Holy Father has left Castel Gandolfo at 15:00 and has returned at 20:00 [...] At the entrance of the Shrine, the Auxiliary Cardinal Aloisi Masella, Suburbicario Bishop of Palestrina, SE Monsignor Pietro Severi, Monsignor Morelli - Liberian canonical, all parsons of the town, the Curia of the Augustinian Religious people [...] the whole population in the streets and in the square, as well as the lucky ones who were able to enter the temple, were fervently waiting [...] When the papal car, with difficulty, managed to enter the square, what an emotion together [...] His Holiness addressed the people his fatherly word [...] the Pope thanked them for the warm welcome and exhorted them and encouraged them to deep fraternal charity and to keep close to them the Blessed Virgin.
The last visit in order of time is that of Giovanni Paolo II on April 22, 1993. Contrary to previous visits of Giovanni Paolo II this is documented by a video from which we offer you a brief excerpt. More evocative than words, he shows his affection to the people of Genazzano and his deep bond with the Mother of Good Counsel.
Genazzano è caratterizzato dalla bellezza del borgo medioevale e dal maestoso Castello Colonna che lo sormonta. Dista circa 45 km da Roma, è posto ad un altitudine di 375 metri s.l.m. e conta circa 6.000 abitanti. Fu abitato fin da epoche remotissime e fin dall’epoca romana, vista la vicinanza con la capitale e la amenità del luogo situato tra i monti Prenestini, tra uliveti, castagneti e vigneti, fu sede di ville e dimore lussuose imperiali e aristocratiche. Una serie abbondante di reperti archeologici è stata infatti rinvenuta lungo il corso dei secoli in varie zone del paese per essere poi riutilizzata, come era consuetudine all’epoca, dai signori Colonna o trasferita, in tempi più recenti, nei musei romani.
L’etimologia del nome Genazzano rimane ancora oggi controversa: il primo documento in cui compare il nome del paese risale al 1022 nell’ambito di una donazione familiare per la quale Giovanni di Pietro Domenico e la moglie Francesca vengono chiamati habitatores in Castello, qui appellatur Genazzano. Sono varie e controverse le origini che gli storici negli anni hanno attribuito al toponimo: il Nibby lo riconduce alla gente Genucia, una famiglia romana di origine plebee che, stando a Plutarco e Dionigi di Alicarnasso, al pari di altre nobili famiglie romane, avrebbe posseduto in questo territorio ricco di luoghi di culto, oppida e residenze fastose, una sontuosa villa.
Secondo altri studiosi il nome andrebbe ricondotto ai giochi ginnici, “Ginnasio”, che si svolgevano nelle ville romane degli imperatori antonimi, in particolar modo nella villa imperiale di Claudio Tiberio o, per altri, in una villa imperiale appartenuta a Augusto prima e Marco Aurelio poi, da localizzare nelle vicinanze del convento di San Pio.
Un’altra ipotesi fa derivare il nome da Jani-Fanum, ovvero un tempio eretto in onore del dio Giano, mai localizzato ma che si crede esistesse pensando allo stemma antico di Genazzano che riportava il dio bifronte. Mentre un’altra ipotesi, meno citata negli scritti sulla storia e la nascita di Genazzano, sostiene che il toponimo venga da Gens Nova, riferendosi ai nuovi abitanti che andarono a vivere nel borgo medioevale alla sua nascita. Infine va citata quella secondo cui il toponimo non sia legato a famiglie illustri o attività particolari che vi si svolgevano bensì alla grande diffusione nell’intera zona della pianta delle ginestre.
Lo stemma di Genazzano prende spunto dalla famosa "Disfida di Barletta": uno scudo con corona turrita e rami di alloro, che racchiude tredici triangoli contornati dal motto "L'abbattimento" in memoria dei tredici italiani che nel 1503 parteciparono vittoriosi alla Disfida, tra i qual Giovanni Brancaleone, cittadino genazzanese che con animo grande e valoroso difese l'onore ed il valore degli italiani rappresentando degnamente gli italiani.
Genazzano is characterized by the beauty of the hamlet and the majestic medieval Colonna Castle that surmounts the hamlet. It is located about 45 km from Rome, at an altitude of 375 meters above sea level and has about 6,000 inhabitants. It was inhabited since ancient times thanks to its proximity to the capital and the pleasantness of the area located between the Prenestini Mountains, olive groves, vineyards and chestnut trees. It was home to imperial and aristocratic luxurious villas. An abundant array of archaeological finds has in fact been found throughout the centuries in various parts of the town and later re-used, as was custom at the time, by the Colonna Lords or transferred, in more recent times, to Roman museums.
The etymology of the name Genazzano remains still controversial: the first document in which the name of the town appears dates back to 1022 as part of a family donation for which Giovanni di Pietro Domenico and his wife Francesca were called habitatores in Castello, qui appellatur Genazzano. The theory about the origin of the name is varied and controversial; throughout the time the name was linked to the ‘Nibby’, associating Genazzano to the people of Genucia, a Roman family of plebeian origin, which, according to Plutarco and Dionigi di Alicarnasso, would have possessed, like other noble Roman families, a sumptuous villa in this area rich of places of worship and lavish residences.
According to other scholars, the name should be linked to the athletic games "Gymnasium", which took place in the villas of the antonimi Roman emperors, particularly in the imperial villa of Claudio Tiberio or in an imperial villa belonging initially to Augusto and then to Marco Aurelio; these was located near the convent of St. Pio.
Another theory derives the name from Jani-Fanum, a temple erected in honor of the God Janus, never identified but believed to have existed because of the old coat of arms of Genazzano that reported a two-faced God. Another hypothesis, less mentioned in historical texts on the birth of Genazzano, affirms that the name comes from Nova Gens, referring to the new inhabitants who went to live in the medieval village at his birth. Finally, it should be mentioned the theory according to which the name of Genazzano is not related to illustrious families or particular activities that took place there, but to the great spread in the whole area of the broom plant (ginestra, in Italian).
Genazzano è un centro ricco di tradizioni, feste, eventi culturali e musicali. Durante tutto l’anno ci sono eventi per circa 280 giorni all’anno che si svolgono in particolare nel periodo da giugno a settembre e per il Natale.
La più importante e sentita dall’intera popolazione è senza dubbio l’Infiorata che si tiene la prima domenica di luglio, in occasione della festa del Sacro Cuore. La suggestiva tradizione del tappeto di fiori per accogliere la bellissima Processione risale al 1883. L’Edizione 2012 dell’Infiorata si è aggiudicata il record mondiale di “The largest flower petal carpet” (Infiorata più grande del mondo) certificato dal Guinness World Records di Londra (mq. 1642,57).
Genazzano è il luogo di Giovanni de Carlonibus detto Brancaleone, cavaliere che partecipò alla “Disfida di Barletta” del 1503 insieme ad Ettore Fieramosca. Nell’ultima settimana di maggio, Genazzano ricorda il suo illustre concittadino con l’evento “il Palio di Brancaleone” con giochi e sfilate in costume e numerose occasioni di interesse agroalimentare. Tra le manifestazioni più importanti il giuramento dei Cavalieri in chiesa, un “assalto” al Castello ed infine la rievocazione vera e propria del vittorioso duello fra italiani e francesi.
Durante tuto l’anno il Castello Colonna ospita stage musicali, in particolare quelli di perfezionamento di chitarra classica, violino, pianoforte, musica d’insieme e concerti di giovani musicisti, mostre fotografiche e di artigianato, eventi gastronomici.
Tra le manifestazioni estive, la terza settimana di luglio, “La Musica che Unisce” ed il Festival Sete Sois Sete Luas, presenta artisti di musica popolare contemporanea di diversi Paesi dell’area euro-mediterranea. Intorno al progetto è stato sviluppato quello dell’Orchestra Popolare a Colori costituita da elementi della Banda Musicale di Genazzano che con l’aggiunta di violini e chitarre raggiunge i 50 elementi. Il concerto principale si svolge il primo sabato di luglio, nel Cortile del Castello, ed altri nelle serate del Festival Sete Sois Sete Luas.
La seconda settimana di luglio il Ninfeo Live si svolge nell’area parco antistante il ninfeo bramantesco. Gruppi musicali giovanili si alternano a mostre fotografiche, eventi teatrali e stand gastronomici.
Il 10 agosto – ovvero il fine settimana più vicino a “San Lorenzo” - si svolge “Calici di stelle”, con degustazioni enogastronomiche, musica, spettacoli. Un’occasione per godersi lo spettacolo delle stelle cadenti in simpatica compagnia!
Nel mese di settembre si svolge la Festa della Madonna del Buon Consiglio (8 settembre), una settimana di eventi religiosi, musicali, spettacoli di cabaret, proiezioni cinematografiche.
Mentre nella seconda metà del mese le strade e le piazze del centro storico vengono animate dalle “Cantine Aperte” con degustazioni di vini e piatti tipici locali e gruppi musicali itineranti.
Nel corso dell’anno si svolgono, in diversi luoghi d’arte, concerti della Banda Musicale Comunale, della Orchestra Popolare a Colori e della Schola Cantorum “Padre Belli”. Due gruppi teatrali amatoriali presentano al Cinema Italia spettacoli durante la stagione invernale.
Genazzano is a city rich in traditions, festivals, cultural and musical events. Throughout the year there are events for about 280 days that take place particularly in the period from June to September and during Christmas time. The most important and deeply felt by the entire population is without a doubt the Infiorata (Flower Festival) which is held on the first Sunday of July, on the occasion of the feast of the Sacred Heart. The picturesque tradition of the flowers’ carpet to welcome the beautiful procession dates back to 1883. The 2012 edition of Infiorata has won the world record for "The largest flower petal carpet" certified by Guinness World Records in London (1,642.57 sq.m.).
The Palio of Brancaleone
Genazzano is the place of Giovanni de Carlonibus, also said Brancaleone, a knight who participated with Ettore Fieramosca in the " Disfida di Barletta” (Challenge of Barletta) in 1503. In the last week of May, Genazzano recalls the eminent fellow citizen with the event "The Palio of Brancaleone" with games and costume parades and numerous agribusiness. Among the most important events: the oath of the Knights in the church, an "assault" to the Castle, and finally. the re-enactment of the actual victorious duel between the Italians and French.
Throughout the year the Colonna Castle hosts musical workshops, especially those of classical guitar, violin, piano, ensemble of young musicians and concerts, photo and craft exhibitions, and culinary events.
Among the summer festivities, during the third week of July, "The Music that Unites" and the Festival Sete Sois Sete Luas, presents artists of contemporary popular music of different countries in the euro-Mediterranean area. Around this event the project Popular Orchestra in Colours has been developed; it consists of elements of the Band of Genazzano that with the addition of violins and guitars reaches 50 musicians. The main concert takes place on the first Saturday of July, in the Courtyard of the Castle, and other concerts in the evenings of the Festival Sete Sois Sete Luas .
The second week of July, the “Nymphaeum Live” takes place in the park in front of Bramante’s Nymphaem. Youth music bands alternate with photographic exhibitions, theatre shows and food stalls.
On August 10, which is the weekend of San Lorenzo, "Goblets of Stars" takes place, with food and wine tasting, music, and performances. It is a good opportunity to enjoy the show of the shooting stars in good company!
In September, there is the Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel (September 8), a week of religious events, music, cabaret, and film screenings. In the second half of the month the streets and squares of the old town are animated by the "Open Cellars" with wine tastings, typical local food and touring bands.
During the year, concerts by the Municipal Band, the Popular Orchestra in Colours and of the Schola Cantorum "Padre Belli" are held in different venues. Two amateur drama groups present at the Italian Cinema shows during the winter season.
Il turista che visiterà Genazzano la prima domenica di luglio si accorgerà con stupore che le strade, i borghi e le piazze sono ricoperti da un tappeto policromo di fiori per una lunghezza di oltre 1500 metri quadrati. Non è un sogno e nemmeno una magia, ma una realtà che si ripete dal 1883, quando il Cardinale Vincenzo Vannutelli stabilì le prime celebrazioni con la solenne processione e pubblicò lo statuto dell’Associazione dell’Apostolato della Preghiera in onore del Sacro Cuore di Gesù.
La settimana precedente la festa ogni gruppo di persone provvede alla raccolta dei fiori, alla “spruia”, alla selezione dei colori nonché alla conservazione dei petali nelle fresche cantine di tufo. La collocazione dei fiori è effettuata spontaneamente dai ventidue rioni, nella notte del sabato sino alle prime ore del mattino, con grande partecipazione del paese. Il tappeto infiorato assume la sua variopinta fisionomia, tematiche sacre, soggetti di attualità e particolari avvenimenti che suscitano maggiore attenzione, dando un fascino ed una suggestione del tutto particolare alle strade del centro storico, partendo dal cortile del Castello Colonna sino alla piazza della Repubblica. Nell’ambito scambi di esperienze artistiche tra gli associati di Infioritalia, negli ultimi anni la manifestazione ha ospitato maestri infioratori di varie città d’Italia. L’Edizione 2012 dell’Infiorata si è aggiudicata il record mondiale di “The largest flower petal carpet” (Infiorata più grande del mondo) certificato dal Guinness World Records di Londra (mq. 1642,57).
La Processione
La Processione del Sacro Cuore è unica nel suo genere perché alla tradizionale sfilata di circa 400 figuranti in costume che rievocano il Vecchio e Nuovo Testamento nonché la storia della Chiesa, intervallati da misteri, promesse, lampioncini, crocifissi ed arazzi sacri, prendono parte il Vescovo e un gruppo di religiosi che elevano il tabernacolo con l’Eucaristia. La processione figurata sfila sul tappeto floreale partendo da Piazza G. E. D’Amico alle ore 18,00 sino all’esterno di Porta Romana, tornando sotto il portale della Chiesa di S. Paolo. La sacra rappresentazione richiede un’accurata preparazione, che va dalla ricerca del tipo di stoffa da usare per i costumi, al reperimento di svariati materiali ed accessori da utilizzare come ornamenti. Circa un mese prima della festa sono assegnate le parti da rappresentare.
The tourists who visit Genazzano on the first Sunday of July will realize with astonishment that the roads, hamlets and squares are covered with a multi-coloured carpet of flowers for almost over 1500 square meters. It is not a dream nor a spell, but a reality that has been repeated since 1883, when Cardinal Vincenzo Vannutelli established the first celebrations with a solemn procession and published the articles of association of the Apostleship of Prayer in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The week before the festival every group participates to collect its own flowers at the "spruia", to the color selection as well as the conservation of the petals in the cool tuff cellars. The placement of flowers is carried out voluntarily by twenty-two districts on Saturday night until the early hours of the morning, with great participation of the inhabitants of Genazzano. The embellished carpet assumes its colourful appearance with sacred themes, special events and topical subjects that arouse more attention, giving a very special charm to the streets of the historic centre, starting from the courtyard of the Colonna Castle until the square of the Republic.
In the context of artistic exchanges between members of Infioritalia, in recent years the event has hosted flowers teachers of various cities of Italy. The 2012 edition of Infiorata has won the world record for "The largest flower petal carpet" (the world's largest Flower Festival), certified by Guinness World Records in London ( 1,642.57 sq.m. ).
The Procession
The Procession of the Sacred Heart is unique in its genre because additional to the traditional parade of about 400 people in costume evoking the Old and New Testaments as well as the history of the Church, interspersed with mysteries, promises, lanterns, crucifixes and sacred tapestries, it is also attended by the Bishop and a group of religious people that enhance the tabernacle and the Eucharist. The procession parades on the floral carpet from Piazza G. E. D'Amico at 18.00 until the Roman Gate, returning under the entrance of St. Paolo Church. The sacred representation requires careful preparation: research on the type of fabrics to use for the costume design, procurement of various materials and accessories to be used as ornaments. About a month before the parade the characters to represent are assigned.
“Genazzano Interculturale” è un progetto culturale che racconta la storia e la diversità della tante piccole comunità che negli ultini decenni sono presenti a Genazzano.
Sono storie di vecchia o di nuova emigrazione legate alla ricerca di nuove opportunità di lavoro e di vita, ma anche storie di amori, di scelte fatte alla ricerca di una migliore e più stimolante qualità della vita. Numerose sono anche le storie di “nuovi cittadini” che hanno preso la nazionalità italiana conservando, quando le legislazioni nazionali lo prevedono, anche quella del Paese di origine.
Un delicato lavoro di mediazione culturale e una serie di contatti diretti hanno permesso di costituire un clima positivo che ha portato all'apertura degli album di famiglia permettendo di mettere “in comune” momenti importanti della vita familiare, sociale e culturale dei Paesi di origine.
Dalla foto di gruppo scattata nel villaggio africano al matrimonio con rito ortodosso in Bulgaria; dai momenti della propria infanzia nel Paese basco alle amicizie infantili in Bielorussia; dai momenti di gioia per la riconquistata della libertà in Portogallo dopo la “Rivoluzione dei Garofani” alle feste tradizionali in Polonia; dalle foto della fattoria di origine in Nuova Zelanda alla feste in Baviera.
La scuola, i matrimoni, i costumi e le tradizioni sono al centro dell’album dei ricordi affiancato a quello delle bellezze naturali dei luoghi di origine e alla vita, di oggi, a Genazzano. Alcuni hanno deciso di farsi fotografare con i propri costumi nazionali.
Tutto il materiale è confluito in una serie di pannelli fotografici, suddivisi per Paese, ai quali sono stati aggiunti quelli di alcuni dei musicisti e degli artisti che hanno animato l’interculturalità di Genazzano negli ultimi anni (da Capo Verde al Messico, dalla Croazia all’Africa, dal Giappone all’Argentina, dalla Spagna a Israele, dal nord-Africa alla Grecia).
Di tanto in tanto, serate di incontro aperte a chiunque prepari un piatto tipico del Paese di origine o della propria comunità si svolgono al Castello Colonna.
"Intercultural Genazzano" is a cultural project that tells the history and diversity of the many small communities that have been living in the last decades in Genazzano.
These are stories of old or new migration, related to the search for new job opportunities and living conditions, but also stories of love, or in search of a better quality or more stimulating kind of life. There are also numerous stories of "new citizens" who have taken the Italian nationality while preserving that of the country of origin, when national legislation was still allowing it.
The difficult work of cultural mediation and a series of direct contacts have enabled the establishment of a positive environment that led to the opening of family photo albums allowing people to put "in common" important moments of their family life, and the social and cultural influences of their countries of origin.
These photos include: group photos taken in an African village, a wedding in an Orthodox church in Bulgaria, childhood in the Basque Country, childhood friendships in Belarus, the moments of joy for the regained freedom in Portugal after the "Carnation Revolution", traditional feasts in Poland, photos of the farm of origin in New Zealand and parties in Bavaria.
The school, weddings, customs and traditions are at the centre of the album of memories alongside the natural beauty of the places of origin and the life, today, in Genazzano. Some have also decided to be photographed with their national costumes.
All this material merged into a series of photographs, broken down by country, to which were added those of some of the musicians and artists who animated the intercultural spirit of Genazzano in recent years (Cape Verde, Mexico, Croatia, Africa, Japan, Argentina, Spain, Israel, and Greece).
From time to time, evening meetings open to anyone who prepares a typical dish of the country of origin or of their own community are held at Colonna Castle.
Il Comune vanta ben 3 vini DOC di cui 2 portano il suo nome mentre il terzo è il famoso “cesanese” che trova il suo areale d’elezione proprio nelle colline prenestine, fra la provincia di Roma e la Ciociaria. Numerosi i piatti tipici, oggi curati e tramandati da chi ha saputo “sfruttare” l’eredità della cucina povera …. in realtà ricca di tanti spunti, sapori e suggestioni! Non mancano poi formaggi e frutta. Il Comune di Genazzano ha istituito un marchio DE.CO. (Denominazione Comunale di Origine) per valorizzare e promuovere le produzioni tipiche che ricalcano tradizioni ed antiche ricette.
Vini prodotti nei territori di Genazzano, Cave, Olevano Romano e San Vito Romano.
Il bianco, giallo paglierino di diversa intensità, ha un sapore vivace ed è anche prodotto come frizzante; i vitigni per il bianco sono Malvasia di Candia (minimo 85%), Bellone, Bombino, Trebbiano toscano, Pinot bianco.
Il rosso è simile al Cesanese ed è prodotto da Ciliegiolo (minimo 85%) unitamente ad altri vitigni come Sangiovese e Cesanese comune.
Grande rosso, di antichissima origine, di colore rosso rubino con riflessi violacei, di sapore asciutto, corposo, morbido, Grado alcolico 12,00%. La zona di produzione comprende tutto il territorio di Olevano Romano e parte di quello di Genazzano. Non meno dell’85% delle uve deve essere Cesanese di Affile e/o Cesanese comune; il restante, altri vitigni a bacca rossa idonei alla coltivazione per la Regione Lazio (Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Barbera, Trebbiano toscano, Bombino bianco). Il vino può anche essere amabile o dolce nonché frizzante. Molto apprezzati anche i prodotti con più alto grado alcolico (superiore e riserva).
Gli gnocchetti “a coda di topo” sono ricavati da un impasto di acqua e farina alla quale viene aggiunto 1 uovo ogni kg di impasto al fine di conferire a quest’ultimo la consistenza necessaria per mantenere l’aspetto elicoiforme.
Il tiritello è la farina di crusca di frumento. Gli gnocchetti, pertanto, sono prodotti con il farinello di crusca impastato con acqua fredda e si presentano come grosse e spesse fettuccine.
L’impasto è fatto con farina ed acqua bollente; vi possono essere aggiunte componenti verdi quali spinaci freschi frullati.
Non potevano mancare questi gnocchi, preparati a mano dalle donne di Genazzano per i pranzi di famiglia. La consistenza è buona grazie alla presenza di pasta di patate ed il prodotto ha una forma di piccolo cilindro, affossato in cima da un delicato tocco di pollice.
I genazzanesi preferiscono sughi “forti”, con spezzatino di manzo, cotoletta o braciola di maiale oppure con i rigagli di pollo. In ogni caso, si desidera sentire il sapore della carne per cui vi sono pochissimi aromi, generalmente limitati alla cipolla.
Si utilizzano gli gnocchetti “a coa de sorica”, spezzettati a mano. I fagioli vengono fatti bollire in sugo di pomodoro con cipolla, sedano e carota.
Sono involtini di fegato di maiale con alloro, contenuti in un “guscio” di tessuto connettivo del fegato stesso. Si aggiunge vino bianco a fine cottura.
E’ un piatto tipico delle zone con tradizione ovina, a Genazzano servito con cipolle fresche aggiunte a fine cottura per dare al tutto una consistenza morbida e cremosa.
Nelle famiglie e nei locali tipici genazzanesi si tramandano ricette di pollo alla cacciatora, pollo con i peperoni e trippa. Di particolare interesse, sono i salumi di maiale nero prodotti dalla “Fattoria La Sonnina” posta a poca distanza dal centro.
La cucina povera dei contadini sapeva apprezzare le cose semplici come broccoli, broccoletti, fiori di zucca, borragine: piante a volte spontanee, comunque assai frugali, con parti verdi e/o fiori che ben si prestano ad essere impanate e fritte; senza dimenticarsi di aggiungere – a seconda dei gusti – o un alice, o una mozzarellina …
Alcune aziende agricole stanno rilanciando l’ovinicoltura con formaggi freschi, ricotte e semistagionati. Da acquistare direttamente in azienda.
Dolce tipico ed unico di Genazzano è la “barachia” con pasta frolla e marmellata di prugne
The city features 3 DOC wines , 2 of which bear its name while the third is the famous "cesanese" that finds its range of choice in the Prenestina hills, between the province of Rome and the Ciociaria. There are numerous dishes, today kept and handed down from those who have been able to "exploit" the legacy of poor cooking, full of many ideas , tastes and ideas ! There are also cheeses and fruit. The City of Genazzano has established a brand DE.CO. (Council Denomination of Origin) to enhance and promote the typical products that follow traditions and old recipes.
The wines produced in the territories of Genazzano are: Cave, Olevano Romano and San Vito Romano. The white, pale yellow of varying intensity , has a lively flavor and is also produced as a sparkling , vine variety are the white Malvasia di Candia (minimum 85 %) , Bellone , Bombino , Trebbiano , Pinot Blanc .
Red is similar to Cesanese and is produced by ciliegiolo (minimum 85 %) together with other varieties such as Sangiovese and common Cesanese .
Large red , of very ancient origin, ruby red color with purple hues, the taste is dry , full-bodied , soft, Alcohol 12.00% . The production area covers the whole of Olevano Romano and part of one of Genazzano . Not less than 85 % of the grapes must be Cesanese di Affile and / or common Cesanese and the remaining , other red grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the region of Lazio (Sangiovese , Montepulciano , Barbera, Trebbiano , Bombino Bianco ) . The wine can also be sweet or sweet and sparkling. Are also very popular products with higher alcohol content (upper and reserve) .
The dumpling " rat-tail " are made from a dough of flour and water to which is added 1 egg per kg of dough in order to endow the consistency required to maintain the appearance elicoiforme .
The tiritello is the flour of wheat bran . Gnocchi , therefore , are produced with the Farinello bran mixed with cold water and appear as large and thick noodles .
The dough is made with flour and water boiling , you can add components such as fresh spinach green smoothies.
They could not miss these dumplings, prepared by hand by women of Genazzano for family meals. The consistency is good, thanks to the presence of potato dough , and the product has a shape of a small cylinder , ditched on top by a delicate touch of thumb.
I prefer sauces genazzanesi "strong" , with beef stew , veal chop or pork chop or chicken with giblets . In any case , you want to feel the taste of the meat for which there are very few aromas , generally limited to the onion .
You still use the dumpling " in coa de Sorica " chopped by hand. The beans are boiled in tomato sauce with onion, celery and carrot.
They are rolls of pork liver with laurel , contained in a "shell" of the connective tissue of the liver itself . It adds white wine at the end.
It ' a typical dish of the areas with sheep tradition , in Genazzano served with fresh onions added to the end of cooking to give the whole a soft and creamy consistency .
In families and in the taverns genazzanesi handed down recipes chicken cacciatore, chicken with peppers and tripe . Of particular interest are the black pork sausage produced by the " Fattoria La Sonnina " placed a short distance from the center.
The cuisine of the poor peasants knew how to appreciate the simple things such as broccoli, broccoli , zucchini flowers, borage plants sometimes spontaneous , however, very frugal with green parts and / or flowers that are well suited to be breaded and fried , not forgetting to add - according to taste - or an alice , or mozzarellina ...
Some farms are relaunching the ovinicoltura with fresh cheeses, ricotta and semi-mature . To buy directly from the farm .
Typical sweet and unique Genazzano is the " Barachiah " with shortbread and plum jam
