Festa di Santa Maria Maddalena del Bosco (Ballo della Morte)
The famous Ballo della Morte and the pilgrimage of the Maddalenanti
About Festa della Maddalena
A centuries-old rite
The Festa «de Santa Maria Madarena du boscu» is one of the oldest traditions in western Liguria, mentioned in the statutes of Taggia (province of Imperia) as early as 1381. It has its roots in a devotion that intertwines Christian elements and pagan rites linked to the cycle of seasons and harvests.
The Maddalenanti and the pilgrimage
Since 1716, with the founding of the Compagnia di Santa Maria Maddalena, the festival has taken on a community character. The Maddalenanti, dressed in traditional red and white attire, undertake a pilgrimage on Saturday evenings on horseback, on foot, or by mule towards the hermitage in the woods, where—according to tradition—Mary Magdalene stopped before reaching Provence; they spend the night there in celebration.
The Ballo della Morte
The heart of the festival is the Ballo della Morte: two men play «o masciu» and «a Lena». The mime begins with joyful scenes of love and happiness; then «Lena» dies. Desperate, «masciu» tries to revive her by covering her with lavender: «Lena» awakens and, to the tune of a funeral song with a different rhythm, the resurrection is celebrated. An archaic rite representing the eternal cycle of death and rebirth, still alive in the heart of the Argentina valley.
Festa della Maddalena — edition 2026
For 2026, the festival falls on the Sunday closest to July 22nd: Sunday, July 19th, preceded by the pilgrimage of the Maddalenanti on Saturday evening the 18th towards the hermitage in the woods.
The most anticipated moment remains the Ballo della Morte, the mime that stages love, death, and resurrection with lavender. The religious and popular rites, passed down for centuries thanks to the Compagnia di Santa Maria Maddalena, accompany the festive days in the historic centre of Taggia.
Programme Festa della Maddalena 2026
The detailed 2026 program will be announced by the Compagnia di Santa Maria Maddalena. Based on tradition:
- Saturday evening — pilgrimage of the Maddalenanti (in red and white attire) to the hermitage in the woods, with an overnight vigil
- Sunday — religious and popular rites in the historic centre
- Ballo della Morte: mime of «o masciu» and «a Lena», with lavender as a symbol of resurrection
Highlights Festa della Maddalena 2026
Prices Festa della Maddalena 2026
Practical information — Festa della Maddalena
Where
Taggia (IM), historic centre and Sanctuary of Santa Maria Maddalena, Argentina valley.
How to get there
By car from the A10 motorway (exit Arma di Taggia-Sanremo Est), then towards the historic centre of Taggia. Taggia-Arma railway station on the Genoa-Ventimiglia line.
When
The festival takes place on the Sunday closest to July 22nd, with the pilgrimage of the Maddalenanti on the evening of the preceding Saturday.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Festa della Maddalena
Centro storico di Taggia e Santuario di Santa Maria Maddalena