I Tri da Cruci 2023

I Tri da Cruci 2023 will take place on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in the beautiful town of Tropea.

I Tri da Cruci (Three Crosses) is both a religious feast which celebrates the Holy Cross, and a historical reenactment event which commemorates the participation of the locals in the Battle of Lepanto of 1571.

SHORT HISTORY

The name of the festival originates from three wooden crosses kept in the altar of a small church on the suburbs of the town, in Via Umberto I. The church collapsed in 1875 after an earthquake, and the crosses were saved and placed in a nearby church.

The festival also celebrates the participation of the people of Tropea in the Battle of Lepanto of 1571, when the Turkish pirates were expelled for good from this area.

In 1571, about 1200 people from Tropea departed under the command of Captain Gaspare Toraldo, and were distinguished for their courage in the Strait of Lepanto. Gaspare Toraldo, during the battle, attacked a pirate ship, capturing 30 men and their captain. The return of the people to Tropea was preceded by a dove.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

On Wednesday, May, 2023, the village will be decorated with candles and colorful flags, and a boat laden with fireworks will be suspended in the air, near Piazza del Cannone.

In the morning, the dance of the giants will take place, when two large puppets of papier-mâché will dance on the streets of the town. Afterwards, the children will pop balloons with a wooden stick and the adults will break jugs filled with water.

On the evening, the boat will be lit on fire, creating a beautiful spectacle of lights, colors and explosions. Later, the dance of the camel on fire (camiuzzu i focu) will take place, when a paper and wood camel stuffed with fireworks will be also lit and forced to “dance”, accompanied by the rhythm of drums.

The feast will end with a spectacular fireworks display which will illuminate the beautiful Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola.