FEAST OF THE FOUR ALTARS

Evening Star, Issue 19020, 15 August 1925, Page 10

FEAST OF THE FOUR ALTARS

A NAPLES CELEBRATION. The prettiest festa of the year in Naples began on June 17 at Torre del Greco (states a correspondent of the London ‘Times’). It is called the “ Feast of the Four Altars,” and commemorates a successful rising of the commune against its feudal lord in 1699- ’ , , The “altars” are elaborate structures, mostly of wood and canvas, some representing temples, others forming stage scenery round a central picture or piece of statuary illustrating some pious subject. Originally four, they have since expanded in number. A greater attraction is provided by the so-called “ flower ” pictures in some of the churches. From a scaffold at the entrance one gazes down upon a pavement of what looks like floral embroidery picturing biblical or hagiological subjects, such as “Christ preaching to the Apostles ” and “ Tho Martyrdom of San Lorenzo.” Some of them’ are artistic, but their borders alone are flowers, the pictures themselves being composed. of colored sand and sawdust. To get real flower pictures ouo must go to the Canary Islands. It was all very gay. The streets were almost bidden under gorgeous pavilions, arches, festoons, flags, statues, fountains, and quaint little garden plots. In the evening a garish illumination drew crowds; bub tho morning is the best time to go. A visit then in the comparative quiet And coolness of the place is a refreshing change from the heat, the dust, and the roar of this dishevelled city.