Feast of the Madonna Santissima delle Grazie (Descent and Procession)

A devotion that has guided the town for centuries

The Feast of the Madonna Santissima delle Grazie is the most cherished event of the year in Gallicano nel Lazio, a small town in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital. Located in the heart of the Lazio region, overlooking the Aniene Valley and just a few kilometers from Palestrina and Tivoli, the town centers its celebration around the venerated image of the Madonna delle Grazie, kept in the parish church of Sant'Andrea Apostolo. This icon of Eastern origin, which tradition says arrived from Constantinople and has been in the town since the 11th century, was solemnly crowned in 1905 by Cardinal Vincenzo Vannutelli, Bishop of Palestrina. Since then, the Madonna delle Grazie has been considered the Queen of Gallicano, and the entire month of May is dedicated to her.

The 'Calata', the gesture that opens the festival

Everything begins on April 30th with the 'Calata': the sacred image is lowered from its usual place to be venerated by the faithful. It is an emotionally charged moment, anticipated all year long, which symbolically marks the start of the Marian month and draws back to the church even those who live far away but have returned to the village for the occasion. From that day on, the church of Sant'Andrea becomes the center of community life, with daily celebrations and prayer meetings.

The solemn Sunday

The climax arrives on the first Sunday of May. The day opens early in the morning, traditionally announced by cannon shots that alert the town; this is followed by the recitation of the Rosary and, at 10:30 AM, the solemn Mass. Afterwards, the sacred image leaves the church for the procession through the streets of the town center, accompanied by the Sant'Andrea Apostolo parish band and a crowd that follows the parade past decorated balconies and flag-draped windows. At the chapel, the procession stops for prayers to Maria Santissima delle Grazie, followed by the daytime fireworks display, one of the most characteristic images of the festival: fireworks set off in broad daylight, a tradition typical of many patronal feasts in Lazio and Southern Italy. The procession then returns to the parish church.

Sacred music and the Saturdays of May

The evening of the solemn Sunday is dedicated to music: the parish church hosts a choral concert, a moment of great participation that closes the day on a more contemplative note. In the following weeks, the festivities continue: every Saturday in May, at 5:30 PM, the Rosary is recited, followed by the Eucharistic celebration with the drawing of sacred pictures, a custom much loved by local families.

The farewell on May 31st

The Marian month concludes on May 31st, the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: after the morning Mass, the 11:00 AM celebration ends with the kissing of the sacred image, a gesture that bids farewell to the faithful until the following year. It is a sober and intense finale that reflects how deeply this devotion is rooted in the daily life of Gallicano.

Organizers

The festival is organized by the Parish of Sant'Andrea Apostolo together with the Pia Unione Maria Santissima delle Grazie, the lay association that has guarded the cult for generations and organizes the main events, from the 'Calata' to the procession. Participation is free for all celebrations.

What to see nearby

Those arriving for the festival can take the opportunity to discover the village and the surrounding area:

• the church of Sant'Andrea Apostolo, rebuilt in Baroque style between 1732 and 1734 by the will of Princess Vittoria Altieri Pallavicini;
• the historic center of Gallicano, with its medieval layout linked to the ancient castle;
• the archaeological area of Gabii and the villages of the Prenestini Mountains, with Palestrina and the Sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia a short distance away;
• the local cuisine of Lazio, featuring homemade bread, 'porchetta', and wines from the Castelli Romani.