Welcome to the site Napoliforme

In the museum, located in some rooms of the church of San Paolino in Nola, there are examples of festive machines and the history of the Gigli is reconstructed. They are the famous protagonists of the patronal feast dedicated to San Paolino (bishop of Nola in the 4th century A.D.) which takes place in Nola every year, on 22nd June or the following Sunday. The Gigli are very tall constructions, up to 25-30 metres high, made of wood and papier-mâché, built by local master craftsmen and representing historical, religious or current affairs.According to legend, the feast of the Lilies celebrates the return of Bishop Paulinus to his homeland after rescuing the citizens of Nola from slavery as prisoners of Alaric's Visigoths. Tradition has it that the bishop was welcomed by the people with flowers (the lilies) and escorted to the bishop's seat by the guilds of trades, represented today by the eight lilies that take their names: Ortolano, Salumiere, Bettoliere, Panettiere, Beccaio, Calzolaio, Fabbro, Sarto. In addition to these, there is the Barca machine, which recalls the vehicle on which Paulinus travels on his return from the feat. During the festival, the very heavy lilies are carried on the shoulders of groups of men (the 'paranze') through the streets of Nola to the rhythm of music. Preparations for the feast last all year round and begin on the very night when the previous festivities end, with the assignment of the Lilies to the aspiring committees for the following year.The museum has over six thousand items including records, cassettes, photographs, scores and films relating to the Gigli festival since 1928: a collection that has been enriched by donations and rarities, such as Leonardo Avella's photo library (with a photograph from 1887), the Felice Natalizio collection of 300 scores, documentaries from the 1920s and snapshots of the Gigli in America. A museum that preserves and passes on the cultural and social memory of the community's folk heritage.