Feast of the Most Holy Crucifix - Patronal Festival
The "big feast" of Monteiasi, blending centuries-old faith, solemn processions, and fireworks displays
About Feast of the Holy Crucifix
The "big feast" of Monteiasi
In the heart of the province of Taranto, nestled among ancient olive groves and vineyards, the town of Monteiasi celebrates its most cherished event in September: the Feast of the Most Holy Crucifix, known locally as "lu Crucifissu granne". As the town's patronal festival, it represents the most significant moment of identity for the entire Apulian community.
A devotion spanning over three centuries
The tradition dates back to 1616, when the Jesuit Father Giulio Pignatari gifted the town a wooden Crucifix, now venerated in the Mother Church of San Giovanni Battista, which is recognized as a sanctuary of the Most Holy Crucifix. Since then, the devotion has remained unbroken, expressed through two main events: the minor feast on May 3rd, the "Invention of the Holy Cross" ("lu Crucifissu piccinno"), and the great patronal festival in mid-September, marking the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
The religious heart of the festival
The festival begins with a triduum of preaching, three days of spiritual preparation featuring meditations and testimonies. The highlight is the solemn Eucharistic concelebration on the patronal day, held outdoors in Piazza Maria Immacolata and presided over by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Taranto. This is followed by the characteristic procession through the town center, a long and deeply attended event where the statue of the Crucifix is carried through a sea of faithful.
Faith and civic identity
A unique ritual defines this festival: at the end of the Holy Mass, the Mayor symbolically hands over the keys of the city to the Most Holy Crucifix, a gesture reaffirming the deep bond between the community of Monteiasi and its patron. It is a meeting of the religious and civil spheres that makes the festival a moment of collective belonging.
Illuminations, bands, and fireworks
Alongside the religious observances, the festival offers the spectacle of Apulian tradition: luminarie (artistic light displays) illuminate the streets, grand brass band concerts perform on the bandstand, and the patronal day concludes with impressive fireworks displays that light up the Monteiasi sky. It is a fusion of faith, folk tradition, and spectacle that draws visitors from across the province of Taranto every year.
Feast of the Holy Crucifix — edition 2026
The 2026 Feast of the Most Holy Crucifix in Monteiasi centers on the weekend of September 14, the anniversary of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Alongside the religious core of the patronal festival, the event features artistic illuminations, brass band concerts, and traditional fireworks to conclude the main day.
The celebration is preceded by a triduum of preaching, featuring the exposition of the Holy Cross relic and the opening of the indulgence, culminating in the solemn open-air concelebration in Piazza Maria Immacolata and the highly attended procession through the town streets.
Programme Feast of the Holy Crucifix 2026
Preparatory Triduum — September 11-13
- Thursday, September 11 — After evening Mass, meeting with meditations and testimonies titled "The Cross: Source of Hope and Love".
- Friday, September 12 — Holy Masses of the triduum.
- Saturday, September 13 — From 5:30 PM, exposition of the Holy Cross relic and opening of indulgences; at 6:30 PM, Holy Mass in Piazza Maria Immacolata.
Sunday, September 14 — Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Patronal Day)
- Holy Masses throughout the day.
- 6:30 PM — Solemn Eucharistic Concelebration outdoors in Piazza Maria Immacolata, presided over by H.E. Rev. Monsignor Ciro Miniero, Metropolitan Archbishop of Taranto.
- At the end of Mass — Handing over of the city keys to the Most Holy Crucifix by the Mayor.
- Around 7:30 PM — Procession of the Crucifix statue through the town center.
- 9:00 PM — First fireworks display by the Pirotecnica & Piro Show company.
- Around 10:30 PM — Evening fireworks display by the Itria Fireworks company.
The festival is enhanced by illuminations lighting up the center and band concerts on the bandstand.
Highlights Feast of the Holy Crucifix 2026
Prices Feast of the Holy Crucifix 2026
Practical information — Feast of the Holy Crucifix
Location
The celebrations take place in the center of Monteiasi (TA), between the Mother Church of San Giovanni Battista and Piazza Maria Immacolata, the heart of the festivities.
Getting there
Monteiasi is located just a few kilometers from Taranto. By car, it can be reached via the SS7 state road and the provincial roads connecting Taranto to Grottaglie. The nearest train station is in Taranto, from which you can continue via local connections.
Admission
Religious celebrations, the procession, and the fireworks displays are free and open to the public.
Tips
For the evening procession and the fireworks, it is advisable to arrive early, as the streets of the center and Piazza Maria Immacolata become very crowded with the faithful.
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Where does it take place — Feast of the Holy Crucifix
Chiesa Matrice di San Giovanni Battista (Santuario del SS. Crocifisso)
Piazza Maria Immacolata, 74020 Monteiasi