carlo cafferini photographs secret codes of luminara di san ranieri
all images © carlo cafferini

 

 

 

it’s june, and the residents of pisa, italy are diligently and excitedly preparing for the evening of june 16th. the evening marks the beginning of a two day celebration of san ranieri, the city’s patron saint. while the celebrations on the 17th are typically the focus of attention, preparations for the festive day began weeks before.

carlo cafferini photographs secret codes of luminara di san ranieri
the decorations were captured by photographer carlo cafferini 

 

 

 

hundreds of white wooden boards, biancherie in italian, are hung from windows and doors of homes. originally, the pieces would mimic the architectural style and structure of the residence; now, many have taken on different shapes, more curious than their conventional counterparts. on the night of the 16th, the forms are adorned with thousands of candles in the ‘luminara di san ranieri’. from dusk to dawn, the lungarni — sides of the river arno — are enlightened only by the flickering light of the tiny lamps.

carlo cafferini photographer secret code luminara di san ranieri designboom
more conventional board style

 

 

 

italian photographer carlo cafferini created ‘secret code’ to explore the countless renditions presented this year. the name was chosen for the secret language that the decorations seem to have with one another. hanging on windows and doors, the strange patterns look like a mysterious mix of signs and symbols, just waiting to be deciphered. 

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window shapes 

carlo cafferini photographs secret codes of luminara di san ranieri
residential façade 

carlo cafferini photographer secret code luminara di san ranieri designboom
the luminara is held every year on the evening of june, 16th 

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originally, the boards closely mimicked the structure’s physical elements 

carlo cafferini photographs secret codes of luminara di san ranieri
curious shapes in pisa

carlo cafferini photographer secret code luminara di san ranieri designboom
triangle adornments 

carlo cafferini photographs secret codes of luminara di san ranieri
chevrons 

carlo cafferini photographs secret codes of luminara di san ranieri
a single, smiling band 

carlo cafferini photographer secret code luminara di san ranieri designboom
signs adorned with candles 

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: nick brink | designboom