Ones upon a time there were the ZIAZI’.
The Basilica of Saint Nicholas in Bari, southern Italy, is an important pilgrimage destination . The holy relics of St. Nicholas are lying in the crypt of the Basilica which was built between 1087 and 1197. Its foundation is related to the stealing of the relics of St. Nicholas from the saint’s original shrine in Myra, in what is now Turkey. In spring of 1087, 62 sailors from Bari headed to Myra and they were able to translate the stolen relics to Bari. May 7-9 is celebrated annually the translation of the relics and for centuries pilgrims traveled in their thousands from the poor, mountainous regions of the southern Italy. In the dialect of Bari the pilgrims are called “Ziazì”. Until a few years ago many a Ziazì arrived to Bari even on foot to pay omage to the Saint. At the present the old traditions are fast disappearing and may be the Ziazì will survive only in photos like those shown in this book made from 1975 to 1980 .