Feast of Our Lady of the Rock

Our Lady found on the rock

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rock stands a few kilometers from San Martino d'Agri, on the summit of Mount Raparello: a stone building that houses an ancient, entirely gilded statue of the enthroned Virgin with Child, adorned with flowers and silver crowns. Tradition tells that the sculpture was hidden inside a rock on the mountain and was found and brought to the village by a shepherd. Since then, Our Lady of the Rock has been venerated as the protector of the entire community of San Martino d'Agri, in the Province of Potenza.

The procession and the 'cente'

The heart of the festival is the procession which, starting from the village church where the statue is kept, climbs to the sanctuary on the mountaintop, about 7 kilometers higher. The faithful carry the Madonna on their shoulders, and women, in particular, carry the 'cente' on their heads: small votive altars prepared at home, made of candle cages arranged to form a small church, with sacred images inside. It is one of the most evocative votive rites in Basilicata, combining physical exertion and deep devotion.

A village that reunites

The Feast of Our Lady of the Rock is the major identity event for San Martino d'Agri. During the celebration days, the village population grows significantly: emigrants from all over Italy and abroad return to participate in the procession and reconnect with their roots. Devotion is renewed also on August 8th, when the faithful once again make their way to the sanctuary on the mountain to honor Our Lady in the height of summer.

Between nature and faith

The path to the sanctuary winds through the mountain landscapes of Val d'Agri, amidst woods and wide panoramas: the ascent itself is an integral part of the rite, a journey that intertwines spirituality and hiking, making the festival a unique experience in the Apennine heart of Basilicata.