San Costantino Albanese.
This small village was built on a hill on the mountainside
of the Timpa di San Nicola. It used to be part of
the ‘Stato di Noia’ (the present Noepoli).
At the end of the XV century, it was surrendered to
a group of Albanians who, after having fought as mercenary
soldiers for the Angevins, were driven out by the
Turks.
In the village Turkish traditions, language and Greek-Orthodox
religious rites are still kept.
In San Costantino’s Church (XVII century) there
are a baptistery in red copper and several paintings
of the XVI, XVII and XVIII centuries.
Not far from the village there is the Sanctuary of
Santa Maria della Stella, inside which a canvas of
the XVII century, representing the ‘Madonna
della Stella’, is kept. A wonderful celebration
is dedicated to Her, with quite a peculiar rite. When
the procession leaves the Church, some puppets having
human features (Nusasit) and dressed with the Albanian
costume are set on fire. They represent marriage,
work, harvest and the Devil.