Feast of Maria SS. della Sanità (Taverne di Mariglianella)

A neighborhood feast in the heart of Mariglianella

The Feast of Maria SS. della Sanità is the most anticipated event in Taverne, a district of Mariglianella stretching along the historic Strada Nazionale delle Puglie towards Brusciano. Located in the Nola-Vesuvius area within the Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania, this is a place where Marian feasts are more than just calendar dates—they are the moments when an entire neighborhood unites as a community.

The celebration takes place in the final days of May, a month traditionally dedicated to the Madonna, and centers on the small church of Maria SS. della Sanità, entrusted to the Dominican Sisters. For years, the Municipality of Mariglianella has supported the event through official patronage and financial contributions, including it in the program of events promoted by the Metropolitan City of Naples.

The Church of the Sanità and the Venerable Carlo Carafa

The building hosting the feast has a long and fascinating history. Erected in 1583, the church features a single nave, a 17th-century altar, and an 18th-century canvas depicting Maria Santissima della Sanità by an unknown Neapolitan painter. The facade is crowned by a pediment and flanked by a 20th-century bell tower, while a small convent, converted from the ancient Palazzo Carafa, stands nearby.

The site is inextricably linked to the Venerable Carlo Carafa (Mariglianella 1561 – Naples 1633), who was born to the Dukes of Andria and returned to his hometown after his military career. It was he who revived the cult of the Madonna Salus Infirmorum and founded the Congregation of the Pious Workers. The church also houses the marble funerary monument of Baron Vincenzo Avallone, the last feudal lord of the area until 1806.

The Triduum and the Procession

The religious heart of the feast is the solemn triduum, led by parish priest Father Ginetto De Simone, featuring the recitation of the Holy Rosary and Eucharistic celebrations held by various local priests. The most intense moment remains the Saturday procession, where the image of Maria SS. della Sanità travels through the district's streets amidst prayers and hymns, accompanied by a brass band and a long procession of the faithful.

Every year, the following participate in the parade:

• The Dominican Sisters and children receiving their First Communion;
• Members of the Feast Committee, who manage organization and fundraising;
• The Association of the Battenti of the Madonna dell'Arco of Mariglianella;
• Municipal administrators, the Local Police, and the «Le Aquile» Municipal Civil Protection group, who ensure route safety.

After Mass: Breakfast, Raffles, and Music

On the final Sunday, following the Eucharistic celebration, the courtyard in front of the church transforms into a town square. The Committee hosts a community breakfast and organizes the traditional charity raffle, with proceeds supporting the church and neighborhood activities. The secular side of the feast is equally vibrant, with musical evenings that have historically brought free open-air concerts to the town's streets, which are closed to traffic for the occasion.

Why it's worth visiting

Visitors will find an authentic celebration here, far from the usual tourist circuits. There are no massive stages or tickets—just illuminations, a brass band, deep devotion, and spontaneous hospitality. It is also a perfect opportunity to discover a lesser-known corner of Campania, just a few kilometers from Nola, Marigliano, and Mount Vesuvius, and to understand how the Marian feast calendar remains a vital social glue in the towns of the Nola area.