"The 18th Century in Bitonto" Historical Pageant

A dive into the 18th century in Bitonto

The "The 18th Century in Bitonto" Historical Pageant is one of the most popular historical re-enactments in Puglia. Every year, at the end of spring, the historic center of the town of Bitonto, in the province of Bari, transforms into an open-air stage where ladies, nobles, soldiers, artisans, and commoners in 18th-century costumes bring the atmosphere of the 1700s back to life. The event is promoted and managed by the Accademia della Battaglia Association, which has been preserving the memory of one of the most important episodes in the city's history for decades.

The 1734 Battle of Bitonto

The pageant commemorates the Battle of May 25, 1734, fought at the gates of the city between the Spanish army, led by the Duke of Montemar, and the Austrian army, commanded by the Prince of Belmonte. The clash ended in a Spanish victory and was decisive for the fate of Southern Italy: it ended Habsburg rule and confirmed the rise of Charles of Bourbon to the Kingdom of Naples. The costume reconstruction is inspired by this event, featuring a parade of participants and a final re-enactment of the battle.

Two days of events

The event takes place over an entire weekend. The first day is dedicated to animating the historic center: in the morning, drums and town criers echo through the ancient streets, while in the afternoon, Piazza Cavour hosts circus performances with tightrope walkers, acrobats, and street artists. The second day offers entertainment for children with the "Village of Toys," culminating in the late afternoon with the grand historical pageant: over five hundred participants parade from Piazza Sylos Sersale, crossing Arco Galliani, Piazza XX Settembre, Via Matteotti, Via Mazzini, Piazza XXVI Maggio 1734, Via Repubblica, Via Verdi, Piazza Partigiani d'Italia, Largo Villa, and Corso Vittorio Emanuele, until reaching the evocative Porta Baresana, where the final re-enactment takes place.

An identity-defining event

The Historical Pageant is much more than a costume party: it is a moment of strong collective identity that involves schools, associations, and families in Bitonto, who spend months preparing costumes, banners, and choreography. The philological care of the costumes, the popular participation, and the charm of the Bari historic center make this re-enactment an unmissable appointment for those who want to discover the most authentic side of Puglia, amidst history, tradition, and live performance.