Festa della Maria Santissima del Principio

The Protectress of Lavello

Alongside the patron saint San Mauro, Lavello – a town in the Vulture region in the province of Potenza – affectionately venerates Maria Santissima del Principio, its protectress. The image, housed in the Mother Church, depicts the Madonna with the Child Jesus and represents maternal protection and guardianship for the community of Lavello. The festival in her honour is celebrated on September 8th and 9th and is deeply rooted in popular devotion.

September 8th, the Day of Faith

The central day is September 8th, marked by an intense religious program: morning masses in the Mother Church, the solemn evening mass presided over by the bishop, and the solemn procession with the statue of the Madonna through the main city streets, concluding with the "Act of Entrustment to Mary". This is the moment when the entire community gathers around its protectress.

September 9th, the Civic Festival

The civic dimension of the festival culminates on September 9th in Piazza Matteotti, the heart of the city, with a grand evening show. In recent years, the square has hosted musical shows with live bands, capable of attracting an audience of all ages and transforming the evening into a collective celebration.

Between Devotion and Community

Promoted by the parish and the Municipality of Lavello, the festival of Madonna del Principio is one of the most heartfelt events of the Lavello autumn: a perfect balance between the solemnity of religious celebrations and the joy of the street party, also an occasion to rediscover the historic centre and the Mother Church.