Feast of Our Lady of Grace

The festival that lasts four centuries

In Genzano di Lucania, a large agricultural village in the Alto Bradano region, province of Potenza, the Feast of Our Lady of Grace is much more than a recurrence: it is the city's most important celebration, alive for over four hundred years. Its origins date back to March 25, 1621, when an image of the Virgin was found on a stone in the Vallone dei Greci area, after a shepherd, according to tradition, had received instructions in a dream on where to dig. The sanctuary was later built on the site of the discovery, where an unseasonal snowfall occurred.

Four August processions

Genzano's devotion is expressed in an articulated and unique rite: four processions spread throughout the month of August. The first is on the opening Sunday of the month, known as del Rovettiere or del Castello; followed by the second Saturday, the second Sunday, and the second Monday of August. A 18th-century statue of the Madonna is carried in procession, while the original stone effigy remains in the sanctuary's main altar, having been removed only once, in 2021, for the fourth centenary.

A community identity

A calendar of civil celebrations revolves around the religious ceremonies, animating the historic center: musical bands, illuminations, concerts, and food stalls offering traditional Lucanian dishes, alongside the return of many emigrants. The Feast of Our Lady of Grace is the time when Genzano di Lucania fully rediscovers its identity, between age-old faith and popular celebration.