Merely by chance we happen to be staying in Lucca during the annual Santa Croce Celebration. On each September 13 since at least 1118, the citizens of Lucca celebrate the eve of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross with the Luminar di Santa Croce, a candle light procession. The evening parade begins at the San Frediano Basilica and participants follow a large cross through a city decorated with thousands of candles, eventually ending at the San Martino Cathedral. Men, women and children in traditional medieval dress carry banners and wave flags, while the sound of marching bands and church choirs fill the air. If 25% of the population were watching the proceedings, the remaining 75% were carrying lit candles and walking the route.
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